International Business Committee
Transportation Committee
Government Affairs Committee

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMMITTEE

MISSION: To recommend policy positions and programs to strengthen Louisiana's development of foreign trade, investment and international services.

 The February meeting feaured the Hon. José Cruz, Consul General of Ecuador, who reported on the recent change in the government in Ecuador. The February meeting also featured a presentation on Nicaragua by Francisco Pineda, mayoral candidate for the city of Leon, Nicaragua. (At the request of his party, Mr. Pineda was asked to run for City Council instead of mayor. He was elected and will begin his term in January 2001.)

The March 3 meeting featured Hon. Alejandro de la Canal, Consul General of Mexico, who briefed the committee on Mexico’s current economic situation. In addition, Graymond Martin, Consultant, and Director of UNO’s Government Reform Program, reported on his activities in Argentina and Honduras.

 The April 5 Committee meeting featured James Yuen, Director of the Chicago Office of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, who gave a presentation on China and Hong Kong. Maria Redmann Treffinger briefed the Committee on the International School of Louisiana at the April meeting. Following her presentation and discussion of the proposed project, the Committee unanimously approved sending a letter to the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) Board endorsing the project’s concept.

 The May 3 Committee meeting featured former IBC member Julio Guichard, recently appointed as Executive Assistant to the Mayor for Economic Development, who reported on the results of the Annual Meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank held in New Orleans March 23-29. The May 3 meeting also featured Larry Collins, Director of International Trade for the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, who briefed the Committee on the legislation for Louisiana Inc.

 The June 7 Committee meeting featured Hon. Pierre Lepetit, Consul General of France in Houston and a senior adviser in the French Embassy for energy and the environment. Mr. Lepetit spoke on trade relations between the United States and France and the value of the euro. In addition, Dr. Lola Aniyar de Castro, the departing Consul General of Venezuela, updated the Committee on the recent postponement of the national elections in Venezuela, and Warren L. Reuther, the Chairman and CEO of Hospitality Enterprises, the parent company of DMI Travel, briefed the Committee on DMI’s recent authorization by the U.S. government as a carrier service provider to Cuba.

 On August 2, Committee member Alejandro de la Canal, Consul General of Mexico, briefed the Committee on Mexico’s recent presidential elections. Maria Redmann Treffinger updated the Committee on the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education’s approval of the International School of Louisiana. In addition, Greg Rushford, editor and publisher of the Rushford Report, reported on current priority issues in Washington.

 At the September 6 meeting, Committee Chair Charles Nelson reported on his recent trip to Europe, Committee member Juan Valadez reported on his recent visits to Colombia and Ecuador, and Committee member Ned Jewett spoke on his recent trips to Tanzania and Kenya. The October 4 Committee meeting featured Maria O’Byrne Stephenson, Honorary Consul of Peru, who briefed the Committee on Peru’s current political and economic situation, and Charles Melancon, President of the American Sugar Cane league, who reported on Louisiana’s sugar industry after NAFTA.

 The November 1 Committee meeting featured former Committee member Julio Guichard, Executive Assistant to the Mayor for Economic Development, who briefed the Committee on the Morial administration’s current economic development strategies.

 The December 6 meeting featured the following speakers: Hon. Theodore Economou Kamarinos, Consul of Greece, who reported on trade opportunities with Greece; Dr. Joseph Ganitsky, Professor of International Business at Loyola University, who spoke on his one-year sabbatical overseas; Alejandro de la Canal, Consul General of Mexico, who reported on the new Fox administration; and Marisol Canedo, Director of International Business & Trade Development for MetroVision, who updated the Committee on Metrovision’s Honduras Alliance Project.

 2000 Trade Programs

On January 13, the European Institute, the WTC and other organizations sponsored a luncheon briefing for 35 participants in the Plimsoll Club featuring the Honorable Christian Noyer, Vice President of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, who spoke on "The Implications of the Euro for International Finance Markets."

On January 14, the WTC, Con-Tech International, Bank One and other organizations held a luncheon briefing for 22 participants in the Plimsoll Club featuring Mr. Sharad K. Saraf, Chairman, Western Region, Federation of Indian Export Organizations, who spoke on "Doing Business with India."

On January 20, the WTC, Orleans Parish Medical Society, and other organizations sponsored a luncheon program at the Plimsoll Club for 50 participants featuring Dr. Randolph Smoak, President-elect of the American Medical Association, who spoke on "A Global Partnership: Business and Medicine."

On January 26, the Consulate General of Spain, the WTC and other organizations held a luncheon seminar on "Doing Business with Spain" in the Plimsoll Club for 40 participants. The speakers were the Hon. Joaquin de la Herran, Spanish Trade Commissioner in Miami; Charles Nelson, President of Waldemar S. Nelson & Co; and Theodore Fowler, President of Freeport McMoRan Sulphur.

On January 31, the Consulate General of Japan, the WTC, and other organizations sponsored a luncheon program in the Plimsoll Club on "The U.S.-Japan Relationship in a New Era," featuring His Excellency Shunji Yanai, Ambassador of Japan to the United States. Among the 185 guests in attendance were Governor and Mrs. Foster, Mayor Morial, and many other dignitaries and leading business executives.

On February 4, the New Orleans area Peace Corps Association held a reception in the WTC’s Executive Offices for Amb. Dane Smith, Jr., President of the National Peace Corps Association. More than 100 former Peace Corps Volunteers attended the event.

On February 10, the WTC, UNO, the Center for Austria, and the Honorary Consulate of Austria held a wine and cheese reception in the WTC’s Executive Offices for 40 Austrian students from the University of Innsbruck who were in New Orleans for a four-week program at UNO.

On February 21, the WTC’s Foreign Language Program commenced its Spring session. Alpha Tech, a local language school and translation service, assumed the administration of the WTC’s language classes, which continue to be held on the 18^th floor of the WTC Building. A total of 19 WTC members and other registrants enrolled in the 11-week session. Spanish, German, Russian, and Italian were offered in the Spring semester.

On February 22, the Journal of Commerce Group held a one-day symposium on "The Panama Canal in the 21^st Century – Facts and Forecasts" at the Hilton Hotel. The World Trade Center served as the local sponsoring organization. Speakers included the Panamanian Administrator of the new Canal Authority, Panama’s Ambassador to the United States, the U.S. Department of State’s Country Officer for Panama, and top executives from the international maritime community.

On February 24, the City of New Orleans and the Host Committee for the Inter-American Development Bank Annual Meeting, which was held in New Orleans March 23-29, hosted a reception in the WTC’s Executive Offices to honor Larry Harrington, U.S. Executive Director with the IDB. 

On February 25, the WTC participated in Southern University’s "International Trade Awareness and Readiness Seminar" in Baton Rouge. The seminar was the result of a two-year grant to Southern’s College of Business from the U.S. Department of Education Business and International Education Program for preparing Louisiana’s small and minority businesses to engage in international commerce. In the summer of 1999 WTC submitted an endorsement of Southern’s grant application to the U.S. Department of Education ($200,000 over two years) and is assisting Southern in the project’s implementation. 

On March 15, the WTC, the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development hosted a luncheon seminar for 22 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Global Business Opportunities 2000: An Effective Access Point to the Japanese Market." The featured speaker was Masatomo Ihori, Deputy Director of the International Division of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce. 

On March 22, the WTC honored Dr. Eamon Kelly, former President of Tulane University, at a subscription luncheon for 63 participants in the Plimsoll Club, where he was presented with the WTC’s Thomas Cunningham Award for his and Tulane’s accomplishments in Latin America over many years.

On March 23, Bank One, the WTC, and other organizations sponsored a luncheon program for 46 participants on "The Economic Outlook for Latin America and its Oil and Gas Sector", featuring Nadine Aboud Rihani, Vice President and Regional Head of the Americas, Country Risk Policy Department, Bank One, Chicago. 

On March 23-29, the Inter-American Development Bank held its annual meeting in New Orleans to discuss lending programs to help Latin America and Caribbean nations improve education, economic growth, and macroeconomic stability. The WTC was one of the many local and national sponsors of the meeting. The IDB is the leading source of multilateral development financing for the region, with last year’s loans totaling $9.5 billion. The New Orleans forum attracted more than 6,000 bankers, corporate leaders, development officials and journalists, in addition to the official delegations of the IDB’s 46 member countries. The plenary sessions were preceded by 11 official seminars on key development issues. In addition, the City of New Orleans’ Host Committee, in coordination with the IDB, created Technology Village as an educational exchange and venue located in the Morial Convention Center where exhibitors showcased their goods, services, and technologies on the following topics: developing a new economy in Latin America and the Caribbean; boosting education; creating a digital democracy; confronting natural disasters; enhancing finance and investment; and advancing health care.

On March 25-26, the WTC co-sponsored the sixth annual meeting of the Latin American Research Consortium (LARC), held at the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University. The program included the presentation of competitive research papers in finance and organizational behavior. 

On March 27, the WTC, the Consulate of Mexico, and other organizations sponsored a luncheon briefing for 58 participants in the Plimsoll Club entitled "Mexico: Economic Challenges for the Year 2000" featuring Dr. Carlos Garcia-Moreno, Director General for Public Credit at the Mexican Ministry of Finance. 

On March 31, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement presented its half-day "Business Executive Enforcement Team (BEET) Workshop" for 24 participants in the WTC’s Executive Office. The workshop included presentations by officials from the Office of Export Enforcement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Office of Foreign Trade of the Bureau of Census, and the U.S. Customs Service. 

On April 3-5, James Yuen, Director of the Chicago office of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, visited New Orleans at the invitation of the WTC. Mr. Yuen conducted a breakfast meeting on April 4 for 20 participants in the WTC’s Executive Office on the subject "China and Hong Kong: Business Opportunities in the New Millennium." He also spoke at a luncheon meeting of the International Trade Club of Southern Mississippi in Gulfport on April 4. Mr. Yuen gave a short presentation at the April 5 meeting of the International Business Committee. On April 5 Mr. Yuen also met with faculty and students and spoke to a class at Loyola College of Business Administration, toured the Port of New Orleans, and met with local attorneys who are engaged in business activities in Hong Kong on behalf of their clients. 

On April 6, the WTC and other organizations sponsored a luncheon program in the Plimsoll Club on for 120 people on "Forecasting Global Markets in the New Economy" featuring William L. Wilby, Director of Global Equities with Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. in New York. 

On April 7, the WTC and 10 other organizations held the annual C. Alvin Bertel Award luncheon in the Plimsoll Club for 160 people recognizing John P. Laborde, Chairman Emeritus of Tidewater, Inc., for his significant contributions to the Greater New Orleans port area. 

On April 10-14, WTC Membership Director Natalie Rideau, Nicaraguan Consul General and Dean of the Consular Corps Mayra Grimaldi, Dr. Dwight Ramsey, Chair of the local chapter of the United Nations Association, and Brandt Dufrene, Chairman of the First National Bank USA, represented WTC New Orleans at the Spring Assembly of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) in Trieste, Italy. Ms. Rideau made a special presentation to a plenary session of the Assembly about the Plimsoll Club at the invitation of the WTCA’s Committee on Quality and Standards. She also formally received the WTCA’s certification of WTC New Orleans in the five following categories: WTC Club, Tenant Services, Trade Education, Group Trade Missions, and Trade Information Services. WTC New Orleans is one of only 10 trade centers in the U.S. to have received certification to date by the WTCA. 

On April 20 the WTC, the City of New Orleans, and United Parcel Service sponsored a subscription dinner in the Plimsoll Club honoring U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater. Among the 77 participants were New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, City Council member Lula Breaux Brown, and other community and business leaders. 

On April 25, the WTC and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development sponsored a luncheon briefing for 25 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Europe: Opportunities for Louisiana Businesses" featuring Rick Myatt, Managing Director of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development’s European Office. 

On April 26, the WTC and Le Centre International de Lafayette hosted a Pre-International Business Exchange (IBE) breakfast meeting for 40 international visitors in the WTC Executive Offices. The Business Exchange included a briefing on New Orleans and its port followed by matchmaking sessions for the delegates from Spain, Belgium, and Quebec. The New Orleans program preceded the three-day IBE conference in Lafayette.

On May 11, the World Trade Center and the Office of International Relations of the City of New Orleans hosted a briefing for a 35-member delegation from Africa in the WTC Executive Office. Officials from 12 African countries were briefed on the international activities of the City, the World Trade Center, and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development. 

On May 19, the World Trade Center, McGhee Auzenne & Associates, United Parcel Service and Whitney Bank sponsored a luncheon briefing on the "The China Trade Bill" featuring Eric Biel, Deputy Under Secretary for Trade Policy Development for the U.S. Department of Commerce. A webcast of the program was featured on www.globalspeak.com.

On May 23, the WTC and Rice Fowler hosted a luncheon seminar for 25 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Developing and Managing an International Distributor Network" conducted by Glenn Stoudt, President of the International Division of Rochester Midland International. A webcast of the program was shown on www.globalspeak.com as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s World Trade Week.

On June 5 the World Trade Center commenced its summer session of foreign language classes taught by Alpha Tech instructors. A total of 53 WTC members and other registrants enrolled in the six-week session. German, Japanese, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Italian, French, and Arabic were offered in the summer session. 

On June 8, the WTC and the City of New Orleans hosted a reception for 85 attendees in the WTC Executive Office honoring the outgoing Dean of the Consular Corps and Consul General of Nicaragua, Ms. Mayra Grimaldi, and her successor as Dean, Mr. Alejandro de la Canal, Consul General of Mexico. 

On June 12, the WTC and the Public Law Center hosted a welcoming reception and briefing for 75 participants in the WTC Executive Offices for the Sixth International Legislative Drafting Institute. The Institute trains legislative drafters, members of legislative bodies and representatives of non-governmental organizations in techniques of researching and drafting proposed statutes and regulations. This year 60 participants representing 23 countries around the world attended the two-week training session. The program concluded with a commencement ceremony on the evening of Friday, June 23 in the Plimsoll Club. 

On June 15, the WTC, the Louisiana District Export Council, and Bank One hosted a reception for 35 attendees in its Executive Office to welcome the new Director of the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center, Donald van de Werken. 

On June 16, the WTC and the U.S. Export Assistance Center sponsored a luncheon program for 56 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "The Business Outlook for Central America: Issues and Opportunities" featuring Dan Thompson, Commercial Attaché at the American Embassy in Guatemala, and Richard Benson, Commercial Attaché in Panama. 

On June 20, the WTC and other organizations sponsored a breakfast briefing for 24 participants in the WTC Executive Office on the "Outlook on Asia: Opportunities for Louisiana Businesses" featuring Steve Lee, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development’s representative in Asia. 

On June 23, the WTC, Bank One, and Rice Fowler hosted a one-day "Letter of Credit" workshop for 50 participants in its Executive Office featuring Ms. Nadia Khalil, Vice President of Bank One International Corporation in Chicago. 

On July 7, the WTC hosted a luncheon program for 62 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "The New Africa/Caribbean Trade Legislation and the Opportunities for Louisiana Businesses" featuring U.S. Congressman William Jefferson. 

On July 13, the WTC hosted a United Nations Association luncheon program for 50 attendees in the Plimsoll Club featuring Justice Revius Ortique, who spoke on his recent experiences as a U.S. Representative to the 54^th General Assembly of the United Nations. 

On July 28, the WTC and Bank One sponsored an all-day seminar for 35 participants on "Introduction to Foreign Exchange and Currency Risk Management" at Bank One. 

On July 28, the WTC, Hibernia Bank, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, Rice Fowler, United Parcel Service, and Whitney Bank sponsored a luncheon briefing for 33 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "The Outlook on Mexico" featuring John Bruton, Vice President and CEO of the American Chamber in Mexico. 

On September 5 the WTC commenced its fall session of foreign language classes taught by Alpha Tech instructors. A total of 24 WTC members and other registrants enrolled in the 11-week session. French, German, Italian, and Spanish were offered in the fall session.

On September 7, the World Trade Center and other organizations sponsored a luncheon forum for 175 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Should the U.S. Lift its Trade Embargo with Cuba?" featuring Amb. Dennis Hays, Executive Vice President of the Cuban American National Foundation (CANF); John Kavulich II, President of the U.S.–Cuba Trade and Economic Council; George Fowler III, New Orleans attorney and a Board member of CANF; and Dr. Eloise Linger, Professor with the Stone Center for Latin American Studies at Tulane University. 

On September 8, the World Trade Center and other organizations sponsored a subscription luncheon for 100 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Looking at the World From a Louisiana Perspective" featuring U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu. 

On September 15, the World Trade Center held a reception for 20 Board members and other invitees in its Executive Offices in honor of Dr. Roberto Formigoni, President of the Lombardy region of Italy. 

On September 27, the World Trade Center, Hibernia Bank, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, and M.G. Maher & Co. sponsored a luncheon seminar for 22 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Taking Advantage of Duty Drawback as an Exporter" featuring Glenn Seale, Chief of the Drawback Branch of the U.S. Customs Service in New Orleans. 

On October 6, the World Trade Center and other organizations sponsored a luncheon briefing for 55 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "10 Years After the Fall of the Communist Dominos" by His Excellency Geza Jeszenszky, the Ambassador of Hungary to the United States. 

On October 11, the World Trade Center and other organizations sponsored a breakfast forum for 50 participants in the Plimsoll Club on Louisiana Inc. featuring Andy Kopplin, Assistant Chief of Staff to Governor Mike Foster; Louisiana State Senator Ken Hollis; Louisiana State Representative Shirley Bowler; Jim Brandt, President of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR); Jack Walker, Director of Public Policy of the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Mike Conwell, Senior Vice President/International of Hibernia National Bank and a member of the Louisiana Economic Development Council. 

On October 24, the World Trade Center sponsored a luncheon program for 30 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business with Lesotho" featuring His Excellency Lebohang K. Moleko, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the United States, who visited Louisiana for six days of activities in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette organized by the WTC. 

On October 26, the World Trade Center sponsored a luncheon program for 35 participants in the Plimsoll Club featuring His Excellency George Odlum, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of St. Lucia, who spoke on "Doing Business with St. Lucia." Minister Odlum and four other St. Lucia officials visited New Orleans and Baton Rouge for three days of activities organized by the WTC. 

On October 27, the World Trade Center hosted its annual Gala Dinner Dance Honoring the Consular Corps in the Plimsoll Club for 170 members and special guests to commemorate United Nations Day.

On October 30, the World Trade Center sponsored a luncheon program for 65 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "U.S. -Mexico Relations Under the New Fox Administration" featuring the Honorable Jeffrey Davidow, U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. 

On November 3, the World Trade Center and the law firm of Rodney, Bordenave, Boykin, Bennette & Boyle sponsored a luncheon seminar for 32 participants in the Pllimsoll Club on "Business Immigration Law in a Nutshell." 

On November 13-14, the American Export Training Institute conducted an International Trade Finance seminar for five participants in the WTC Executive Offices featuring Richard Thomas, a global trade and banking expert. 

On November 16, the World Trade Center sponsored a luncheon briefing for 160 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "New Orleans International Airport Progress Report," featuring the Hon. Revius O. Ortique, Jr., Chairman of the New Orleans Aviation Board. 

On November 29, the WTC co-sponsored a panel discussion on the possible realities of a post Castro Cuba sponsored by the Foreign Relations Association. The discussion featured J. Ron Brinson, President and CEO of the Port of New Orleans, Amb. Dennis Hays, Executive Vice President of the Cuban American National Foundation in Washington, D.C., Kenneth Zezulka, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic, and Dr. Stephen Gergatz, Honorary Consul of Hungary. 

On November 30, the World Trade Center, the New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations sponsored a luncheon program for 88 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Louisiana’s Transportation Outlook" featuring Dr. Kam Movassaghi, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development. 

On December 4, U.S. Congressman William Jefferson, the WTC, and the African Chamber of Commerce hosted a reception at the WTC Executive Offices for 35 guests to honor Alhaji Ibrahim Turaki, Governor of the state of Jigawa, Nigeria, who was visiting New Orleans at the invitation of Congressman Jefferson. Among the special guests was New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, who presented Governor Turaki with a key to the City of New Orleans. 

On December 7, a seven-member Polish trade mission visited the World Trade Center on a visit organized by T. Mike Cegielski, a member of WTC Denver, in conjunction with the Polish Chamber of Commerce in Warsaw. The trade mission represented five Polish companies including a food processing and packaging company, a construction and building refurbishment company, a manufacturer of diet foods and crisp breads, and a company specializing in the casting of steel, iron, and non-ferrous metals. 

On December 7, the World Trade Center and other organizations sponsored a dinner program for 35 participants in the Plimsoll Club on "Doing Business with Bolivia" featuring V. Manuel Rocha, the U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia. 

In January, WTC President Dennis Kelly appointed an Internet Strategy Task Force, chaired by Carolyn McLellan. The stated mission of the Task Force was to create an Internet strategy for the WTC by reviewing and recommending specific steps to enhance international trade, membership services, and revenues for the WTC, without a high degree of risk. Following are the principal accomplishments of the Task Force during its first year: 

• In June the WTC implemented a secure server to take credit card information when individuals register online for trade programs.

• In July the WTC opened the "Members-Only" section of its website at www.wtcno.org/memberarea/. The Members-Only section of the WTC site includes trade leads received from WTCs worldwide. The WTC’s 2,000 members are able to view the leads exclusively for two weeks before they are posted to the Leads section of the site for the general public.

• The WTC’s comprehensive statewide Louisiana International Trade Directory was posted on the WTC website in July. It can be accessed from the search page at www.wtcno.org/search/. WTC New Orleans members have a WTC symbol next to their company names and are sorted first in each category. A Corporate Member’s listing has the same icon as other WTC members, plus the words "Corporate Member" and is listed first before other members. The searchable database of "Other WTC Members Providing Goods and Services" (those members whose companies are not yet engaged in international trade or live outside of Louisiana) also is posted at www.wtcno.org/search/.

• In October a photo page was added to the website which displays photos of recent WTC trade programs and events. This page is designed to be of interest to those who have attended the events, as well as to serve as a promotional vehicle for other such events in the future.

• In December the WTC website launched its on-line "shopping cart." The shopping cart contains all of the WTC’s trade reference books, maps, Plimsoll Club items, and other materials which are offered for sale, with WTC members receiving special discounts on all purchases.

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE

MISSION: To recommend policy and projects which will increase usage of Louisiana’s transportation system and increase public understanding of the system’s impact on the state’s economic development.

• Port of New Orleans – The Port experienced the second best year in its history in 1999, with over 11 million tons of general cargo, compared to over 14 million tons in 1998, its best year ever. At its December 1999 meeting, the Board of Commissioners approved a comprehensive plan for redevelopment of the Napoleon Avenue "A" and "B" Terminals, estimated to cost $50 million. This is the first step that the Board plans to take in its plan to create additional container capacity to handle expected increases in hemispheric trade.

• Port of Baton Rouge – Through September of 2000, the Port has reported almost 6 million tons at port-operated facilities compared to 4.7 million in 1999. Jonathan Daniels was named the new Managing Director of the Port, effective October 1, 2000.

• Port of South Louisiana – The Port handled 246 million tons of cargo in 1999, a 13% increase over 1998, while third-quarter statistics for 2000 showed exports slightly ahead of last year. The Port is also in the process of diversifying its Globalplex facility, a 205-acre former sugar refinery dock converted into a bulk dock. Work has been completed on the expansion of the dock to 690 feet long by 204 feet wide. The third phase of the $30-million upgrade to enhance General Cargo Dock capabilities is currently underway. The Port has selected Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) and Associated Terminals as the joint operators of its general cargo dock and the Globalplex intermodal terminal facility.

• Port of Iberia –The Port received the third master plan in its history, and the Commission had adopted many of its recommendations. The last one was completed ten years ago by Louisiana State University. The Port also opened a new expansion creating an additional 153 acres of waterfront property for lease in an ongoing expansion project.

• Port of Gulfport – The Port was the third largest container port in the Gulf of Mexico for 1999. A $200-million capital improvement program is underway and will be implemented over the next five years. Much of program is concentrated on the new Mississippi Public Container Terminal with a 105,000-sq. ft. container freight station, and the rehabilitation of the KCS rail line between Hattiesburg and Gulfport. The Port also held the Port Symposium 2000, dealing with conducting business in Latin America, at the Beau Rivage Hotel in Biloxi June 5-7.

• Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission – Reported that a feasibility study was underway for the development of a marina in Bucktown. The study should be finished early in 2001. The Commission has also gone through the capital outlay process and received project approval for the planning and design of a commercial harbor at Bayou Segnette on the Westbank.

New Orleans Board of Trade – Reported each month on the cumulative ship arrivals at Louisiana’s Mississippi River ports, with arrivals through November being 5,506 year-to-date.

U.S. Coast Guard – Reported throughout the year on the progress of the Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), which has received considerable attention, along with VIP visits from flag officers and foreign dignitaries to observe its operation. On November 28, the tanker Westchester spilled over 500,000 gallons of Nigerian "sweet" crude into Lower Mississippi River about 60 miles south of New Orleans after apparently grounding on the river’s east bank. The cause of the spill is currently under investigation. The Lower Mississippi River was closed between Port Sulfur and Venice (mile markers 38 and 9) for 48 hours, and was later opened to one-way traffic, and soon after that to two-way traffic. A cleanup is currently underway; damage to the environment and wildlife in the area appears minimal.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Reported each month on Mississippi River conditions, including the location of dredges and the progress of the Industrial Canal Lock Replacement Project, which is scheduled to take 10 years to complete and cost $585 million. The federal government has promised $35 million in mitigation funds to offset the negative impact the construction will bring to the neighborhoods in the area. The Community Based Mitigation Committee, a citizen’s panel advising the Corps, has spent months determining how the money will be spent. Community activists have protested that the public was not allowed to participate in the Committee’s meetings.

New Orleans International Airport – 1999 was a good year statistically for the Airport, with 194 million pounds of cargo, an 11% increase over 1998. Passenger numbers also increased by 5% to 9.5 million. For 2000, the number of passengers number is expected to exceed 10 million for the first time. Aircraft operations, however, were slightly down for the year from 125,000 to 124, 000. The Airport has opened its new state-of-the-art perishable goods center, which is designed to maintain the cold-chain integrity of perishable commodities during the import/export process. The refrigerated storage space is divided into three climate controlled compartments with temperatures of 55, 42, and 33 degrees Fahrenheit. Also recently added to the Airport is the Flight Information Display System (FIDS), which informs passengers of flight arrival and departure times.

Regional Planning Commission – Conducted a motor carrier survey of the various trucking firms in the New Orleans area regarding high-accident areas and other traffic problems they encounter. The RPC also has begun an East-West Corridor Environmental Impact Study, which deals with the Earhart extension and will probably take a year or two to complete

U.S. Maritime Administration – MARAD celebrated its 50^th anniversary in a ceremony on April 11^th in which the officers, staff, and crew of one of its ships, the Cape Knox, were also awarded the Professional Ship’s Award after a highly successful deployment to the Middle East. This is the highest honor MARAD gives to any ship it operates. The Chinese Minister of Communication visited New Orleans in October and visited the Port of New Orleans to observe dredging activity. Legislation that includes MARAD’s appropriation was vetoed in October by the President, which will require continuing resolutions until funding is worked out.

Federal Maritime Commission – The Commission is conducting an inquiry into exclusive tug arrangements entered into between certain terminals and tug companies on the lower Mississippi River regarding their impact on competition and on the users of the affected terminals.

U.S. Customs Service – Leticia Moran announced in November her appointment as Director of Field Relations for the five-state area and introduced Todd Owen, who will be taking over her position as Port Director and on the Transportation Committee.

Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development – The DOTD sponsored a Conference on "Updating the Louisiana Statewide Transportation Plan" from July 30 to August 1 in New Orleans. The purpose of the conference was to identify the major transportation issues that should be addressed over the next 30 years and to update the Louisiana Statewide Intermodal Transportation Plan, which was adopted as the state’s official transportation plan in 1996. In a series of meetings, issues such as improvements to Louisiana’s highways, ports, railroads and airports were discussed and attendees were assigned to eight advisory councils that will be used to gain input from the transportation industry. The Department also released the Latin American Trade and Transportation Study, which was commissioned by 14 southern state Departments of Transportation.

Public Belt Railroad – The Public Belt experienced a 17% growth in revenue cars in 1999 and has experienced tremendous growth in its activity since 1977. From mid-February through the end of March, 2000 there were severe congestion problems due to a shortage of both power and personnel after entering into an agreement with KCS to handle a part of KCS’s terminal yard operations. The NOPB has discontinued the KCS services in light of this negative impact. The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling on April 17 in the Norfolk Southern Rwy. vs. Shanklin case stating that once states have installed federally funded devices at a crossing, the railroad cannot be held responsible for the adequacy of those devices.

University of New Orleans – Timothy Joder of the Louisiana Urban Technical Assistance Center (LUTAC) announced at the December meeting that the National Ports and waterways Institute would become affiliated with UNO rather than LSU beginning in December. Mr. Joder also reported on population estimates and forecasts for the nine-parish area surrounding New Orleans. Between 1970 and 2000, St. Tammany Parish’s population has grown, while Orleans Parish’s population has shrunk by a similar amount. Mr. Joder stressed the importance of considering such trends in light of the Causeway Commission’s prediction that the Causeway Bridge will be at capacity by 2015. On June 30, LUTAC submitted a report to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LDOTD) under a contract LUTAC has to assist LDOTD in the implementation of the Statewide Transportation Plan. Congressman David Vitter was instrumental in securing $892,000 in an appropriation bill for the University of New Orleans’ Intermodal Transportation Policy and Implementation Center (ITPIC). The Committee recommended that WTC President Dennis Kelly send a letter to Congressman David Vitter thanking him for his assistance in this regard (the letter was sent on July 25.)

Louisiana Motor Transport Association – Reported on a plan to upgrade all of the weight scales in Louisiana, which will be a $4 million infrastructure investment. President Clinton signed legislation containing new rules on hours of service for truck drivers that might be harmful to the trucking industry.

Trucking – Kathleen Norman reported on the trucking bribery scandal in Illinois, and Florida has safety officials tracking down truckers with licenses that should never have been issued.

Steamship Association of Louisiana – A preliminary report on ILA man-hours for the contract year 1999-2000, which ended on September 30, shows a 9.2% drop from the previous year new regulations from the U.S. Customs Service Gulf Management Center has been issued regarding boarding requirements for the entrance and clearance of vessels that will change the operation of the Triport. Before the Triport, entering vessels were required to clear separately at the Port of New Orleans, Grammercy, and Baton Rouge. Now, they are required to clear only once. There also have been changes in regulations that affect the movement of cargo. Carriers will no longer be allowed to accept faxed copies of Shippers’ Export Declarations (SED). This could cause delays and fines because carriers are not allowed to load cargo onto a vessel until they are in possession of the SED.

Freight Forwarders and Custom Brokers – The 22^nd Annual Conference of the International Freight Forwarders & Custom Brokers Association of New Orleans was held June 1-4 at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Mississippi. John Hyatt reported to the Committee on the potential benefits to the New Orleans area of the passage of the Trade and Development Act of 2000. New regulations have been published, but there is still some confusion over requirements for various forms and documents, which will hopefully be worked out shortly. Mr. Hyatt also briefed the Committee on the Agriculture Appropriations bill that was signed in November by the President that would allow anti-dumping penalties to be paid to companies that petition for them.

Mississippi Valley Coal Trade and Transport Council – Total lower river coal exports through August, 2000 were 782,338 tons, compared to 1.9 million tons through August of last year, a decrease of 59%. Total U.S. coal exports through August, 2000 were 38.7 million tons, a small decrease from 1999. The Council will hold its annual conference in New Orleans from February 21-23, 2001.

New Orleans Regional Chamber of Commerce – The Gulf Coast Regional Chambers meeting was held in New Orleans on September 28-29. Issues discussed included high-speed rail and hurricane evacuation. Also, Dr. Eric Kalivoda of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development gave a presentation on the Latin American Trade and Transportation Study.

Presentation by Gerald (Joe) Dicharry, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Mr. Dicharry gave a special presentation on the Industrial Canal Lock Project at the February meeting and briefly described the construction sequence for constructing the new lock in the canal north of Claiborne Avenue. He also discussed the lawsuit filed by ACORN asking for a temporary restraining order to stop the ongoing construction

Presentation by John Rombach, Legislative Fiscal Officer – Mr. Rombach gave a presentation at the March meeting on the budget crisis facing Louisiana. Highlighted were the various problems created by Louisiana’s tax structure and the significant losses in revenue due to internet sales.

Presentation by Eric McDonald, Project Manager for Parsons Transportation Group, on the MAGLEV Project – At the April meeting, Mr. McDonald briefed the Committee on the efforts of the Gulf Coast Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV) project. The initial MAGLEV corridor to be developed in New Orleans would be 48 miles long and connect the New Orleans International Airport to the Central Business District and cross Lake Pontchartrain to the north. The Greater New Orleans Causeway Commission is administering the Gulf Coast MAGLEV Project on behalf of a cooperative partnership that includes the New Orleans Aviation Board and the Regional Planning Commission.

In the months after the presentation, the project received grant from the federal government and is currently anticipating funding from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for an environmental impact study, preliminary engineering plan, and investment grade financial analysis. The FRA will select one or more projects for funding (final design, engineering, and construction activities) probably during the summer of 2001. The selected project could receive up to $950 million in federal funds to assist in building the Demonstration Project.

Presentation by Julia Bland, Director of the Louisiana Children’s Museum - Ms. Bland informed the Committee at the July meeting of a museum proposal to develop a 1,500-foot permanent exhibit emphasizing the importance of the Port of New Orleans and the Mississippi River. The museum is in search of partners to help finance this project, which will educate visitors on the global nature of products and transportation as they relate to the Mississippi River and the Port.

Presentation by Warren Reuther, Chairman and CEO of Hospitality Enterprises – Mr. Reuther reported to the Committee at the September meeting that DMI (of which Hospitality Enterprises is the parent company) has been approved by the U.S. Treasury Department to conduct charter flights to Cuba and is awaiting the approval of the New Orleans International Airport for such flights in the next round of airports to be selected (New York and Los Angeles were approved in the first round last year; Miami was previously approved).

Presentation by Hon. Alejandro de la Canal, Consul General of Mexico – Mr. de la Canal reported at the September meeting on the recent historic elections in Mexico in which Vicente Fox was elected President, wresting control from Mexico’s ruling PRI Party for the first time in 70 years. He also discussed the challenges that will face the new administration when it takes over in December.

Presentation by W. James Amoss, Jr., President of Marine Logistics, Inc - Mr. Amoss briefed the Committee at the October meeting on the proposed Seapoint Container Transfer Project to be located about 95 miles below New Orleans near Head of Passes. Seapoint hopes to become the predominant Gulf Coast container hub, and construction is scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2001. Operations are scheduled to start during the fourth quarter of 2002. The facility will be a forerunner of, and eventually an adjunct to, the eventual Millennium Port, expanding the markets of Louisiana and other Gulf ports during the 15 years or so before the Millennium Port is scheduled to begin operations.

Presentation by Dr. Eric Kalivoda, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development - Dr. Kalivoda gave a presentation at the November meeting on the "Latin American Trade and Transportation Study," which was conducted by 14 state Departments of Transportation (including Puerto Rico). Dr. Kalivoda briefed the Committee on the prospects for trade with Latin America through 2020 and discussed the investments in transportation infrastructure that will be necessary to accommodate the expected increase in trade with the region over the next 20 years.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

MISSION: To work with other organizations throughout the state and recommend policy and actions on federal and state legislation and issues to enhance Louisiana's trade, port development and allied activities.

U.S. Trade Policy Reviewed by the Committee

• U.S. Dues Payments to the United Nations - Congress passed legislation in the fall of 1999 authorizing payment of $926 million in back dues owed to the UN and other international organizations. The payments are being made in three installments, each of which is contingent on the completion of a separate set of reforms by the UN and should be completed by the end of 2001.

• The Trade and Development Act of 2000 - President Clinton signed the Trade and Development Act of 2000 (HR 434) into law on May 18, 2000. As a result of the new law, the U.S. will remove tariffs and quotas on certain goods for eligible countries in both regions. The bill was originally composed of two separate pieces of legislation (The African Growth and Opportunity Act and The Caribbean and Central America Relief and Stabilization Act) until the Senate tied them together before passing its initial version of the bill in November of 1999. Differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill required months of negotiations before it was passed in its final form. Congressman William Jefferson, a primary co-sponsor of the bill, spoke on the Trade and Development Act of 2000 at a luncheon in the Plimsoll Club at the World Trade Center on July 7. Congressman Jefferson praised the new trade provisions and called attention to the many ways he believes this legislation will benefit Louisiana.

• U.S.-Vietnam Trade Agreement - The United States and Vietnam signed an agreement on July 13 that will normalize trade relations between the two countries for the first time since the end of the Vietnam War. Tariffs on Vietnamese goods entering the U.S. would drop from rates averaging 40% to roughly 3%, and Vietnam also has agreed to open its market to U.S. goods and services. The AFL-CIO has vowed to fight the measure on humanitarian grounds, while the domestic textile industry has promised to press for changes to protect U.S. industries from an increase in low-priced imports. Key Congressional Democrats have suggested that the bill could face trouble unless those matters and others are addressed. Congress will probably vote on the measure next year.

• Easing Trade with North Korea – Following the President’s announced decision in June to ease sanctions on North Korea, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) implemented new regulations on trading with North Korea, effective June 19. Many U.S.-made items may now be exported or re-exported to North Korea without a license. However, certain types of production equipment and software have been added to the Commerce Control List. Other government agencies have taken related measures to ease sanctions on North Korea as well, including the Departments of Transportation, Commerce, and the Treasury.

• Permanent Normal Trade Relations with China (PNTR) – On October 10 the President signed the bill granting PNTR to China, but China’s entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO) will be delayed until next year because of a slowdown in multilateral talks taking place in Geneva. In its agreement with the United States, China has promised to make significant market openings in almost every sector of its economy, while the U.S. is required only to make permanent the status (formerly known as Most Favored Nation, or MFN) which it has accorded China every year since 1980. The agreement would increase access into China for U.S. goods by reducing tariffs, eliminating trade-distorting export subsidies on agricultural products, doing away with barriers such as limits on who can import and distribute goods in China, and eliminating quotas on imports from the U.S.

At its May 4 meeting, the Committee unanimously recommended that the WTC Executive Committee adopt a WTC position in support of PNTR and convey that position to all of the members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation. The Executive Committee agreed, and WTC President Dennis Kelly sent letters stating the WTC position to each of the nine members of the delegation, all of whom voted in favor of PNTR.

• U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement – On October 24 the United States and Jordan entered into a free trade agreement that would eliminate virtually all tariffs between the two nations and also include commitments to safeguard worker rights and the environment. This is only the fourth free trade pact entered into by the U.S. (after Israel, Canada, and Mexico), and the first to contain environmental and labor standards in the body of the agreement. The relatively small two-way trade between the U.S. and Jordan totaled $287 million in 1999, including $276 million in exports to Jordan and $11 million in U.S. imports from Jordan. It is hoped that this agreement will result in a rapid increase in trade between the two nations and serve as an example to Jordan’s neighbors in the Middle East

• Cuba Trade Legislation - President Clinton signed a $78 billion agricultural spending bill on October 28 that eases sanctions on Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, and Sudan by lifting unilateral restrictions on U.S. shipments of food and medicine to these nations. The legislation allows the President to waive prohibitions on U.S. financing of sales to Iran, Libya, Sudan, and North Korea, while banning outright any U.S. financing of sales to Cuba. This restriction would require Cuba to either pay in cash or get credit from a third country to finance purchases from the U.S. The financing restrictions have prompted Cuban newspapers to say that such limitations would make it impossible to purchase food and medicine from the U.S. A Cuban government statement asserted that it "will not engage in any trade transactions whatsoever with the United States" under this Act.

• Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties – Also included in the U.S. Agriculture Department’s appropriations bill signed by the President on October 28 was an amendment that allows U.S. manufacturers to receive revenues collected in anti-dumping or countervailing duty cases. Until now, when the Customs Service collected anti-dumping and countervailing duties, the funds were included in the Treasury ledger as general revenue. The new law, however, allows any such revenue collected to be distributed among the companies that filed the complaints. Critics maintain that this change might offer incentives to file more lawsuits because of the prospect of financial gain.

• FSC Repeal and Extraterritorial Exclusion Act of 2000 - President Clinton signed the FSC Repeal and Extraterritorial Exclusion Act of 2000 (HR 4986) on November 15, replacing the U.S. Foreign Sales Corporation (FSC) tax exemption that was judged to be an illegal export subsidy by the World Trade Organization earlier this year. The European Union (EU), however, which filed the complaint against the FSC provisions, has pushed ahead with its request to the WTO for permission to impose over $4 billion in trade sanctions on U.S. products, the largest claim ever made for trade sanctions in a case before the organization. The FSC program allowed thousands of U.S. exporters to cut income taxes by channeling exports through offshore shell companies. The EU successfully argued before the WTO that this provision violated the organization’s rules by applying solely to exports. The WTO agreed with this position and required the United States to come into compliance with its rules against export subsidies or face sanctions by the EU.

• U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Negotiations – On November 16 President Clinton and Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of Singapore announced that negotiations would begin soon on a free trade agreement between the United States and Singapore. This agreement will eliminate tariffs on all goods over time, cover almost all service sectors, protect intellectual property rights, and be modeled on the recently signed U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, including provisions on labor and the environment. Singapore is the U.S.’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, with two-way trade totaling $34.4 billion in 1999. It is also the tenth largest importer of U.S. goods, totaling $16.2 billion in 1999. Singapore is also a large market for Louisiana products, importing $117 million of products from the state in 1999.

• Louisiana, Inc. – This proposal would have abolished the Department of Economic Development (DED) and created a private, nonprofit corporation, to serve as the central economic development organization of the state. The bill that created Louisiana Inc. (SB 88) was passed during a special session of the Louisiana Legislature and signed by Governor Foster on April 19^th. To take effect, however, voters had to pass a constitutional amendment on November 7 authorizing the establishment of a state-funded economic development corporation and exempting its employees from participating in state civil service. On October 11 the WTC hosted a breakfast forum at the Plimsoll Club, where six speakers presented their views on the Louisiana Inc. proposal. The WTC’s Executive Committee subsequently met, discussed, and endorsed Amendment No. 1 related to Louisiana Inc. and conveyed that Executive Committee position to the WTC membership. In the November 7 elections, however, amendment No. 1 was defeated by a wide margin. At its November 16 meeting, the Executive Committee authorized WTC President Dennis Kelly to send a letter to the Governor encouraging him to continue his efforts to strengthen Louisiana’s economic development organizational structure and to evaluate other possible actions aimed at attracting additional business and jobs to the state.

• WTC Report on Louisiana-China Trade- In connection with the debate over the granting of Permanent Normal Trade Relations to China (see page 2), Lawrence Marino, WTC Manager of Government and Transportation Affairs, prepared a 14-page analysis in May of the potential impact of China’s accession to the World Trade Organization on the U.S. and Louisiana economies. This report can be accessed here

• Update of WTC International Trade Finance Brochure – In June, the WTC completed a revision of a year-old brochure that offers financial information for companies looking to begin or expand exporting products. The brochure is arranged by U.S. government export program and includes relevant information on the Small Business Administration (SBA), Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im), and Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), including updated contact information for these organizations. This brochure can be accessed here