News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu     www.selu.edu/news Contact: Rene Abadie Date: 6/12/03   SEMINAR SCHEDULED FOR PANAMANIAN BUSINESSMEN       HAMMOND  -- More than 25 businessmen and women from the Republic of Panama are participating in a weeklong seminar at Southeastern Louisiana University.  The seminar is a result of Southeastern’s growing emphasis on international initiatives, designed to promote education, economic relationships and cultural understanding.         The program is focusing on agribusiness and small business development, with specific emphasis on marketing of products to the United States and other countries. Featured speakers and seminar leaders include representatives of the Inter-American Development Bank, MetroVision of New Orleans, the Port of New Orleans, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Associated Grocers and the Louisiana Department of Economic Development.       “The intent is to provide these business leaders with information they can use to better market their products in the United States and other countries,” said Aristides Baraya, coordinator in charge of developing international programs for Southeastern’s College of Business and Technology. “They will also gain valuable management experience geared specifically to agricultural businesses.  They can immediately employ this knowledge in their work.”       In addition to seminar lectures, the participants will tour the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Robert, considered one of the region’s largest and most modern supply and distribution facilities. The seminar is being conducted under the auspices of Southeastern’s Office of International Initiatives, the Latin American Business and Development Initiative within the College of Business and Technology, and Continuing Education.        Baraya said the seminar is the outcome of an agreement Southeastern signed with the government of Panama and follows a highly successful marketing program conducted at the university last year for Kuna Indian artisans from Panama. The university also has conducted several management programs for young entrepreneurs from Colombia.      Additional academic, scientific and cultural agreements have allowed the University to develop relationships throughout the world. Each year students participate in study abroad programs in Latin American, European countries and in other parts of the globe. The university also sponsors student exchange programs with universities in several countries, including Austria, Germany and France.    Return to News Releases