On Tuesday, June 30, United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk testified at a hearing of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship in New Orleans.
The hearing, titled "Keeping America Competitive: Federal Programs that Promote Small Business Exports," was chaired by United States Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA). Ambassador Kirk was also joined by Small Business Administrator Karen Mills.
Ambassador Kirk spoke about the importance of small and medium sized business to America's economy, noting that more than a quarter of a million U.S. firms export goods, and 97% of those firms are small to medium-sized businesses with fewer than 500 employees.
"Improving small business access to new overseas markets is a priority for the office of the United States Trade Representative," Ambassador Kirk said. Kirk also reiterated USTR's commitment to create more market access for small and medium sized enterprises.
