The Push to Increase Exports: National and Local, Public and Private
September 29, 2014Ken Hyatt is the Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade.
I say this very often and I mean it every time: This is an incredible time to be working in international trade.
We’ve seen four years of record exports and 1.6 million new U.S. jobs supported by exports since 2009.
To be sure, there are a number of reasons for this growth. We certainly wouldn’t see it if not for the innovative, high-quality goods and services our businesses create.
But a lot of credit also goes to public and private organizations throughout the country that are making it easier for U.S. companies to compete and win in the global marketplace.
I was happy to recently have the opportunity to thank a group of the International Trade Administration’s strategic partners here in Washington D.C. These organizations ranging from private companies to nonprofits and associations are part of a great public-private partnership, committed to supporting U.S. businesses of all sizes as they consider exporting.
Everyone here at the ITA is proud to have such a group of committed partners, and I want to thank them again for what they do.
Outside that group, there are plenty of other organizations working to support trade.
State and local governments are prioritizing global business, from San Francisco’s LatinSF program – promoting opportunities for San Francisco companies in Latin America – to Utah’s office of Economic Development, which just finished a promising trade mission to China and a global forum supporting small businesses.
Then there are economic development groups like Enterprise Florida, which just wrapped up a mission in Singapore and Malaysia, or the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, which just concluded its annual Bringing the World to Northeastern Pennsylvania forum connecting local businesses to global opportunities.
There are countless other nonprofits, private companies, and local/regional governments supporting international trade, and I thank all of them for their efforts. Increasing trade supports jobs, encourages innovation, and brings economic growth to regions throughout the country.
I look forward to working with all of you, and seeing the successes your efforts create for U.S. businesses.
I also invite any organization with a mission of furthering U.S. exports to look into our strategic partnerships program. We would love to officially join forces to support American businesses.
Tradeology, the ITA Blog 