World Trade Center of New Orleans launches U.S. National Trade Communications Initiative together with Louisiana Consular Corps

NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 5. 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The World Trade Center of New Orleans (WTCNO) and the Louisiana Consular Corps have produced two new informational tools designed to help local and international businesses all over the United States to explore mutually beneficial business relationships and access Louisiana-based career and honorary consuls as well as national references who will assist with business development efforts.

A country by country economic data booklet has been researched and prepared by WTCNO for distribution to a national audience of governmental and economic interests in Louisiana and the rest of the United States including state legislators, key state and local government departments, economic development agencies, business media, chambers of commerce and universities. "I am very proud to launch our National Trade Communications Initiative. This data helps small business all over the United States as well as international companies to bring clarity to the significant economic impact foreign countries have on our economy. It is our duty to provide a point of contact to national as well as international business for each of the 55 nations represented with us," said Dominik Knoll, Chief Executive Officer of the World Trade Center of New Orleans.  

View the booklet, Economic Ties Between the US, Louisiana and the World, by clicking here. Data available in the booklet includes:

• Country-specific exports
• In-state jobs created through commercial interaction
• The number of tax free shopping transactions
• The number of visitors from each country

Consular Corps Dean Constance Willems, Honorary Consul for The Netherlands, believes that the data "Substantiates the fact that international trade and commerce between Louisiana and the world is a vital and increasingly important part of the state's economy that doesn't get the attention it often deserves.  Clearly, Louisiana and the United States continue to be of great relevance to the rest of the world.  With the on-going development of energy resources and an increased ability to export our energy, it is reasonable to assume that our value to the world economy will continue to escalate."

Data gathered in the booklet indicates that Louisiana exported nearly $34 billion in goods and services to foreign countries represented by consuls in 2013, and that 171,892 Louisiana jobs are attributable to Louisiana's foreign exports to these countries. Total foreign visitors to Louisiana reached nearly 150,000 in 2013. 

The World Trade Center of New Orleans (WTCNO) is one of the strongest international business organizations in the Gulf Coast region, consisting of 1,000+ companies as well as high profile individual members. This membership base represents a diverse group of industry leaders, companies, professional organizations, and government institutions that include manufacturers, energy, agriculture, maritime, digital media, foreign consulates, and other interests. In 2013, member organizations were able to significantly contribute to the state's record-breaking exports, the total value of which exceeded $63.1 billion. To learn more visit www.wtcno.org.

SOURCE World Trade Center of New Orleans (WTCNO)