NEW ORLEANS – A workshop to help export service providers, food processors and distributors, forestry businesses and agricultural producers learn more about exporting goods to Cuba is scheduled for May 17 in New Orleans.

The Exporting to Cuba workshop will be held at the Port of New Orleans auditorium, 1350 Port of New Orleans Place, and is co-sponsored by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas-Cuba Trade Alliance.

“This workshop is designed to provide information, education and contacts crucial to facilitating food, forestry and agricultural exports to Cuba,” said Dr. Parr Rosson, AgriLife Extension economist and director of the Center for North American Studies at Texas A&M University.

Rosson said attendees will learn about trading and exporting with Cuba, including procedures, expectations, licensing and what products have the most potential.

Topics and speakers include Cuba’s perspective on trade by Jorge Bolanos, chief, Cuban Interests Section; licensing and doing business with Cuba, Cynthia Thomas, president, TriDimension Strategies; exporting to Cuba open forum, Wayne Cleveland, Texas Grain Sorghum Association, Pat Wallesen, WestStar Food Co., Dwight Roberts, U.S. Rice Producers Association, and Ruben Bonilla, Port of Corpus Christi.

The workshop also includes a luncheon featuring Dr. Mike Strain, commissioner of Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Registration for the workshop and luncheon is $65 if paid by May 4 and $80 afterwards.

For more information, contact Rosson at 979-845-3070 or prosson@tamu.edu. Information is also available at http://www.tcta.us/