TEDA, World Trade Center of New Orleans establish ‘direct partnership’
HOUMA, LOUISIANA – Officials with the Terrebonne Parish Economic Development Authority (TEDA) and the World Trade Center of New Orleans (WTCNO) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining a cooperative effort to expand international trade and boost manufacturing, distribution, and other enterprises in Terrebonne Parish.
The MOU with TEDA is the fourth such agreement that the WTCNO has established in Louisiana—the first three being with BioDistrict New Orleans, the New Orleans Business Alliance (NOBA), and the LSU Louisiana Business & Technology Center (LSU LBTC).
“The growth and rise in productivity of Terrebonne Parish in recent years has made it a natural place for the WTCNO to seek a direct partnership,” Dominik Knoll, chief executive officer of the WTCNO, said. “This mutually beneficial relationship will take both organizations one step further to achieving their missions of enhancing the economic vitality of the parish and the state as a whole.”
Jessica Steverson, WTCNO marketing director, said the MOU will help ensure that Terrebonne Parish will be more visible on an international level, which will in turn support the development of international commerce and foreign direct investment in the parish.
“Because TEDA is established as a main enterprise service provider in the parish, and because the WTCNO is the lead organization in the state that promotes international trade, the partnership will allow us to collaborate on joint research of markets with high potential, share information and best practices as well as cross-coordinate and cross-market our events and services,” Steverson said.
Steve Vassallo, chief executive officer of TEDA, said “Terrebonne Parish’s economic future, while already quite bright, has now gotten much brighter.”
“I am delighted that the World Trade Center of New Orleans has recognized the value of our region to this extent, and I look forward to working with our new partners,” Vassallo said. “Terrebonne Parish has so much to offer—locally, regionally, and globally—and TEDA is a proactive economic development authority with a dynamic team, a strong record of success, and a forward-thinking philosophy. This year has been TEDA’s brightest yet in my opinion. We launched the hugely successful inaugural Louisiana Entrepreneurship Fest; we’re establishing valuable business relationships in our sister city of Weihai, China; and now we’ve reached this agreement with the World Trade Center of New Orleans. Indeed I am quite excited about the months and years ahead.”