L’Observateur / April 25, 1999

NEW ORLEANS – The Port of South Louisiana and Empresa Nacional Portuaria, Puerto Cortes, Honduras, signed a cooperative port agreement in an effort to stimulate economic development and create jobs in both countries. The “twinning” of the two ports took place Friday at the PanAmerican Life Building in New Orleans.

The signing of this agreement is the result of a partnership between Metro Vision’s International Division and The Port of South Louisiana. Thislandmark agreement between the sister ports will be used as the cornerstone to develop port related employment for citizens in either country. A recent study estimates that as many as 5,000 jobs could becreated as a result of this agreement. An immediate impact will be seenin the form of reciprocal trade agreements resulting in the exchange of textile products, building materials, vehicles, steel, pipes and general bulk material.

The Port of South Louisiana, America’s largest tonnage port, handles the largest combined tonnage of exports, imports and domestic shipping in the United States and serves as a center for trade and shipping on the Mississippi River. The Empresa Nacional Portuaria is the Port Authority ofthe Republic of Honduras and operates Puerto Cortes, one of the major ports located on the Caribbean Sea, and serves commerce and industry in Honduras and Central America. The two ports, under the guidelines andleadership of their respective governments, have jointly come together for the purpose of pledging technical assistance and economic cooperation for the development of reciprocal and international trade ties and to maximize efforts to enhance the future social, political and economic well being of their respective countries through trade and diplomacy.

The technical assistance and economic cooperation established by this agreement will also contribute to the mutual understanding and enhancement of international trade which will not only result in increased trade volume, but the planning for, leasing or construction of port facilities to efficiently handle the import and export of cargo through the Port of South Louisiana and Puerto Cortes.

Port of South Louisiana Executive Director Gary LaGrange, members of the South Louisiana Port Commission, including President Cart Davis, and port staff represented the Port of South Louisiana at the signing. Metro Visionwas represented by Michael Conwell, chairman of MetroVision’s International Business and Trade Development Committee. Officials fromthe Honduran delegation included Honorable Reginaldo Panting, minister of commerce and industry; Honorable J. Roberto Leiva, minister of Hondurasand coordinator of the presidential program for investments; Lincoln Espinal, superintendent of Puerto Cortes, Empresa Natcional Portuaria; and Henry Fransen, general manager of the Association of Honduran Maquiladoras.

In regards to the signing of this significant agreement, LaGrange said, “This document will solidify the economic pact that will ultimately create a domino effect of industrial and cultural prosperity between Puerto Cortes and the Port of South Louisiana.”

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