Today, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis gave the keynote address at the Chafee Center’s 25th annual World Trade Day at Bryant University. Speaking to an audience of over 400 business leaders, academics, government officials, and trade policy experts, Ambassador Marantis highlighted the Obama Administration’s agenda to foster sustainable growth and create well-paying American jobs through trade. His remarks highlighted the National Export Initiative, the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations, and the United States’ turn to host the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2011.
“Today, exports are at the heart of our economic recovery, accounting for more than 40 percent of our overall economic expansion over the past nine months…Realizing these export opportunities means jobs and growth when our economy needs them most.”
The full speech can be found here.
Small- and medium-sized enterprises dominate Rhode Island’s economy, and nearly half of these businesses export. Last year, Rhode Island exported $1.5 billion in goods to overseas markets, and in the first four months of 2010 the state’s exports increased nearly 30 percent.
Ambassador Marantis discusses trade and exports with Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri
