International Trade

New Orleans is on a mission to increase its presence in international trade. New leadership at City Hall challenges the business community to build partnerships abroad. Under the city's dynamic new office of International Trade Development Program (ITD), New Orleans will be ahead of the game when it comes to global trade.

The new program organizes and coordinates the many resources of New Orleans and Louisiana already available in trade and investment such as The World Trade Center, the U.S. Export Assistance Center, Louisiana Economic Development, the Chamber of Commerce/Metrovision and other public agencies. ITD also responds to the many civic organizations in New Orleans, such as the Freight Forwarders Assn., French-American Chamber, the World Affairs Council, the Hispanic Chamber and more.

The office is developing a strategic plan that analyzes New Orleans business strengths and identifies international markets, opportunities and competitive advantages. A database keeps track of local businesses that are involved in or exploring international markets. And trade officials help businesses accomplish trade and investment goals by working with business clusters in New Orleans — principally the medical industry, oil & gas, maritime, and engineering and environmental services.

"As a government entity we help facilitate the business community's targets and trade objectives," says Gina Nadas, director of International Trade Development. "We listen to the community and respond to their priorities and how they would like to go forward."

For its part, the office also operates as an international marketing arm for the city's economic development agencies to attract new businesses and to promote New Orleans culture abroad, and that includes music, film, and entertainment.

Other initiatives by the International Trade Development team include:

• Protocol—The office works with the Consular Corp in New Orleans to target opportunities that are mutually beneficial between New Orleans and foreign markets.

• Sister Cities—The office coordinates new relationships and enhances the existing relationships between New Orleans and its eight sister cities.

• Ambassadors Program—Enthusiastic individuals, returning to their home countries after living in New Orleans, are invited to be informal ambassadors for the city of New Orleans.

For more information contact Marisol Canedo, Director of International Business and Trade Development.