In this age of globalization, exporting has become the crucial differentiator for American
businesses. Exporting creates higher wages, sometimes over 15% higher than the
national average, and it also stabilizes the sales cycle of businesses in times of recession,
ensuring survival in a difficult economy. U.S. exports have been growing two to three
times faster than the economy as a whole, and the President’s National Export Initiative
has paved the way for increased attention to the benefits of trade.

My office, the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) at the U.S.
Department of Commerce is part of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service. We have
a network of offices in over 107 cities throughout the United States and offices in U.S.
Embassies and Consulates in more than 145 cities in 83 countries overseas dedicated
to creating prosperity for American businesses through International Trade. We offer a
variety of programs and services to help U.S. companies enter new overseas markets or
increase their current export sales markets. Commercial Service programs are designed
to help small and medium size export-ready U.S. firms by providing them with a unique
link to foreign market information, contacts, and trade expertise.

Louisiana’s unique geographical advantage makes it especially fit to see the benefits
of international business According to current trade estimates; Louisiana is ranked
eighth out of all fifty U.S. states for trade exports. In 2008, Louisiana exported $41.9B
in goods, which supporting over 209,000 manufacturing jobs. In addition, Louisiana
exported $926 million in agricultural products, which supported over 10,700 agricultural
jobs. Louisiana’s largest trading partners include China, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and
South Korea, and echo the global reach of our enviable position at the mouth of the
Mississippi.

The Louisiana District Export Council are our eyes and ears on the ground. They are the
voice of the Exporter, and they are the advisor to our efforts to help small and medium-
sized businesses throughout Louisiana. I urge you to take advantage of the wealth of
knowledge of our members, and of this website. You will not be disappointed. With
warmest regards, I am:

Sincerely,

Donald C. van de Werken
Director