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International trade
Because of its position straddling the mouth of the Mississippi River, its proximity to Latin American markets and its six deep draft ports offering logistical access to the full gamut of international markets, Louisiana is an ideal location for import and export trade of all kinds, including small businesses in Louisiana looking to expand their markets. The state offers a wide variety of support programs for importers and exporters. Contact the organizations listed here to learn more.
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Louisiana Economic Development, International Services
This division of the state's economic development department assists businesses with all aspects of international trade and supports ports and airports in their efforts to increase the volume handled by their facilities. In addition to providing guidance to Louisiana firms interested in exporting goods or services, the division conducts seminars and meetings on export opportunities and procedures, arranges meetings with foreign buyers and provides export counseling. LED also maintains representation in Europe for trade promotion and business recruitment. Contact: (225) 342-4323 or on the Web.
World Trade Center of New Orleans
Provides international trade services including information on exporting, importing and foreign trade services; seminars, conferences and training courses; and overseas trade missions and trade shows.
WTC Executive Offices
2 Canal St., Ste. 2900
New Orleans, LA 70130
Ph: (504) 529-1601
Fax: (504) 529-1691
1st Stop for International Business Services
Assists international visitors and companies seeking trade and investment opportunities in Louisiana in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 1st Stop provides a single point of access to publicly available business and economic development information about your sector of primary interest. Maintains the official International Trade Directory of the State of Louisiana, listing Louisiana exporters, importers, trade services, and other internationally oriented organizations.
Le Centre International de Lafayette
Assists small and medium-sized businesses in the Lafayette area in exporting their products or services abroad through the identification of new markets and expansion of existing markets. Also assists companies in importing products and/or parts not available in the U.S.
735 Jefferson St.
Lafayette, LA 70501
Ph: (337) 291-5474
Fax: (337) 291-5480
E-mail: leCentre@lafayettegov.net
Ports Association of Louisiana
Contact information and links to both shallow and deep draft ports in Louisiana.
Ports Association of Louisiana
3055 East Lakeshore Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Ph: (225) 334-9040
Fax: (225) 334-9044
info@portsoflouisiana.org
U.S. Export Assistance Centers
Two centers in Louisiana are part of the U.S. Department of Commerce/International Trade Administration network of Export Assistance Centers. The primary focus of the EAC is to assist export-ready clients. The center provides hands-on export marketing for small and medium-size companies. A commercial trade specialist can help companies gauge export potential, locate good overseas markets, develop sales strategies, identify agents and customers, and start successful export operations. The specialist also can answer questions about exporting (financing, shipping, export licenses, shipping documents, etc.) and introduce exporters to important contacts, such as freight forwarders, international banks, and export trading companies.
Shreveport U.S. Export Assistance Center
Business Education Building 119H
LSUS-One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115 USA
Ph: (318) 676-3064
Fax: (318) 676-3063
New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center
2 Canal St., Ste. 2710
New Orleans, LA 70130
Ph: (504) 589-6546
Fax: (504) 589-2337
Export.gov
The U.S. Government's Export Portal. Learn about export basics or register to access market research and trade leads. Also provides extensive news and information about current trade laws and export markets.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. (EXIM) offer assistance and programs for loans that are used to finance exports.
For SBA export loan information, call the Houston office at (817) 277-0767.
For EXIM Bank loan information, call the Dallas office at (281) 721-0468.
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