EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 98-7

Latin American Business Development Commission

WHEREAS, Executive Order No. MJF 97-54, signed on December 3, 1997, establishes the Louisiana Latin American Business Development Commission (hereafter "Commission"); and

WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend several provisions in that Order;

NOW THEREFORE I, M.J. "MIKE" FOSTER, JR., Governor of the state of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the state of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: Section 2 of Executive Order No. MJF 97-54 is amended to provide as follows: The duties and functions of the Commission shall include, but are not limited to, the following:

A. Identifying trade/market opportunities in Latin America beneficial to Louisiana and make recommendations on the development of these opportunities;

B. Making policy recommendations regarding trade agreements between the United States and countries in Latin America;

C. Identifying methods that will enable products grown, manufactured or produced in Louisiana, to compete more aggressively in existing and/or emerging Latin American markets; and

D. Making policy recommendations which will make Louisiana more attractive as a trading partner with, and as a destination for, Latin American investments.

SECTION 2: Section 4 of Executive Order No. MJF 97-54 is amended to provide as follows: The advice and recommendations of the Commission shall be consistent with the goals and objectives of the Board, the Louisiana Economic Development Council, and the International Trade Commission.

SECTION 3: Section 5 of Executive Order No. MJF 97-54 is amended to provide as follows: The Commission shall be composed of fourteen (14) members who shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the governor. The membership of the Commission shall be selected as follows:

A. The governor, or the governor's designee;

B. The secretary of the Department of Economic Development, or the secretary's designee;

C. The commissioner of Financial Institutions, or the commissioner's designee;

D. One (1) member of the Louisiana International Trade Development Board;

E. One (1) member of the Louisiana Economic Development Council; and

F. Nine (9) citizens of the state of Louisiana with at least five (5) years of experience in one or more of the following fields: international trade, finance, economics, oil and gas services, maritime activities, agriculture, world health, governmental relations, and/or environmental protection.

SECTION 4: All other sections and subsections of Executive Order No. MJF 97-54 shall remain in full force and effect.

SECTION 5: The provisions of this Order are effective upon signature and shall remain in effect until amended, modified, terminated, or rescinded by the governor, or terminated by operation of law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the state of Louisiana, at the capitol, in the city of Baton Rouge, on this 16th day of February, 1998.

M.J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.
Governor

ATTEST BY
THE GOVERNOR
Fox McKeithen
Secretary of State