Archive for October, 2010

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Visit to Memphis

October 15, 2010

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James Golson is a Commercial Officer in the U.S. Foreign and Commercial Service‘s Strategic Partnership Office.

Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke and U.S Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk were warmly welcomed by the Memphis business community during their visit here this past week.

The Secretary and Ambassador started their trip with a late night visit to FedEx’s global hub to see firsthand the millions of packages that make Memphis the world’s busiest cargo airport and an important center for U.S. exports.

Early the next day, the group traveled to Memphis based Smith & Nephew, a high tech manufacturer of orthopedic equipment.  Smith & Nephew export half of what they produce in Memphis and employ hundreds of people in the Memphis area to support those exports.  This venue provided an excellent backdrop for the Secretary and Ambassador to address a town hall meeting of nearly 50 Memphis based exporting companies.  The meeting focused on the President’s National Export Initiative and how the Department of Commerce, USTR and business can work together to achieve the President’s goal of doubling exports in five years.  The business community was energized by the speech and many in the audience were able to ask questions about the NEI and how they could take advantage of the program.  The Secretary highlighted that the U.S. Commercial Service has partnered with Memphis based FedEx through the New Market Exporter Initiative to identify SMEs that currently export to one market, and that by working together we would assist these companies to find additional markets overseas.

Following the town hall meeting, local Commerce Department staff, including myself, were approached by many of the attendees asking for assistance.  The event was definitely a success and my calendar is booked for the next few weeks meeting with companies that want to expand their exports.

The Secretary and Ambassador concluded their time in Memphis at a roundtable discussion with Memphis based exporters that currently export to Asia.  They discussed the Trans Pacific Partnership and what it means for Memphis.  Many of the executives spoke positively about their interaction with the U.S. Commercial Service.  For example, Chris Schnee of Christie Medical Holdings, noted that his company had not exported two years ago, now they are in 40 countries after conducting over 35 Gold Key matchmaking services with the Commercial Service.  He attributed their export success directly to the assistance provided by the local Memphis office of the Commercial Service.

The Secretary and Ambassador left Memphis later that day but as we engage with more companies in the coming weeks to help them expand into additional markets, the legacy of their trip will live on.

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Connecting U.S. Companies to Opportunities in Iraq

October 6, 2010
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Francisco J. Sánchez is the Undersecretary of Commerce for International Trade
 

A Historic Opportunity

This week I led 14 U.S. companies on the first trade mission to Iraq since the end of combat operations. It was very exciting to facilitate the connection between these firms and potential buyers in Iraq. I also met with many of my counterparts to engage and enhance the commercial dialogue between the United States and Iraq.

I am honored to bring with me companies from Washington and California,  New York and Michigan to meet with Iraqi businesses and government ministries who are poised to capitalize on a vast array of infrastructure and construction projects planned in the near future.

Under Secretary Sanchez meets with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey

Under Secretary for International Trade Francisco Sanchez (l) meets with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq James Jeffrey (r)

Iraq’s government has budgeted more than $80 billion for infrastructure development, including projects constructing highways, railways, telecommunications and defense. Iraq’s private sector also offers opportunities in oil and gas, construction and communications technology.

The United States and Iraq have entered a new phase of commercial engagement, and I am confident that the recent transition will lead to a stronger economic relationship between our two nations. This trade mission that I am leading is a symbol of the U.S. commitment to develop a lasting friendship with Iraq based on mutual respect and shared interests. This marks the beginning of a new commercial relationship between the United States and Iraq.

The unprecedented interest generated by last October’s U.S.-Iraq Business and Investment Conference held in Washington, D.C., and the activities of the U.S.-Iraq Business Dialogue have demonstrated that there is great opportunity for increased trade and investment in the region. Iraq’s GDP has more than doubled since 2006, soaring from $57 billion to $112 billion in 2009

During my time here I’ve met with Deputy Minister of Trade Walid Habib Al-Moswee, Dr. Hussain Al-Shahristani, Iraq’s Minister of Oil and Acting Minister of Electricity, and Dr. Sami Al-Araji, chairman of Iraq’s National Investment Commission. My hope is that the meetings we’ve had will be the first of many in the coming months.

During my meeting with Dr. Al-Shahristani, I advocated for continued negotiations between the federal and provincial governments on energy issues and passage of the Hydrocarbons and Electricity Laws by the Council of Representatives. These actions would establish the rule of law in the energy sector and support a legal and regulatory environment more conductive to international investment in Iraq.

These reforms should encourage more U.S. companies to enter Iraq, as the reduction in risk and further clarity would lower the costs of operating here.

Some of my discussions with Dr. Al-Araji included the benefits of ratifying several outstanding bilateral agreements that would assist Iraq in achieving a sound investment climate and expanded regulatory reforms to promote investment. I also stressed the importance of Iraq continuing to move forward on WTO accession as a part of the country’s efforts to integrate into the global multilateral trading system.

All of this attention on improving the economy and investment climate in Iraq will ultimately benefit the Iraqi people and help to integrate Iraq into the global economic system.

The companies who traveled with me have participated in nearly 170 meetings with prospective clients in Iraq. As Fox Business News described it, it’s like speed dating for business. The potential for doing business is certainly plentiful.

Expanded Exports and Jobs

This is Commerce’s 24th trade mission since President Obama announced the National Export Initiative (NEI) during his State of the Union earlier this year. As of today, Commerce has led more than 250 companies on trade missions to 28 countries. The NEI aims to double U.S. exports in the next five years, supporting several million new jobs.

To learn more about commercial opportunities in Iraq visit trade.gov/iraq

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