Exton, Pennsylvania - Deputy United States Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis today traveled to Exton, Pennsylvania to talk about the Obama Administration's strategy to increase American exports and support high-paying American jobs in manufacturing, services, and agriculture. Ambassador Marantis met with business leaders at Analytical Graphics Inc. (AGI), a local software development business with a robust global operation. The event was one of many being held across the country today by members of the newly appointed Export Promotion Cabinet. The event, held in cooperation with the U.S. Export Assistance Center in Philadelphia, underscored the export potential of businesses like AGI - where exports account for 10% of annual sales, and where full-time, international-focused jobs have increased from 6 to 11 over the last two years.
"You here at AGI know more than most just how useful a role your Export Assistance Center can play in implementing President Obama's National Export Initiative, and in helping to connect U.S. businesses with markets outside our borders," said Ambassador Marantis. "Many 'export stars' in this room have benefited from the work of the Export Assistance Center. The Obama Administration wants to help more such companies to succeed."
Business leaders in attendance included representatives from Penn Stainless Products of Quakertown, now selling to Canada and Mexico; Allied Wire and Cable of Collegeville, selling to Ireland; and the ATD-American Company of Wyncote, PA, a hotel and hospital linen company partnered with a German firm.
President Obama, through his National Export Initiative (NEI), has instructed the federal government to use every available federal resource to support the initiative's goal of doubling American exports during the next five years and supporting two million jobs.
To that end, USTR is tearing down global barriers to trade and opening up export opportunities by enforcing existing agreements and seeking out new trade partnerships. At the same time, trade professionals in the Department of Commerce's U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service are guiding companies through every step of the export process, from learning how to export to logistics and shipping issues.
Exports remain an integral part of the U.S. economy. In 2009, exports accounted for 11 percent of our gross domestic product, and supported more than 10 million American jobs. For every $1 billion in exports, 6,250 manufacturing jobs are supported.
Through the NEI, the federal government will expand its trade advocacy efforts in all forms, including: educating U.S. companies about opportunities overseas, directly connecting U.S. companies with new customers; and advocating more forcefully for U.S. company interests in contracting processes. Additional NEI priorities include increasing access to credit - especially for small- and medium-sized businesses interested in exporting, and ensuring free and fair access to foreign markets.
"In keeping with the National Export Initiative USTR is redoubling our trade efforts, and we are partnering across the federal government to ensure those efforts have a maximum impact for American businesses and workers," said Ambassador Marantis. "In short, USTR is pursuing a broad-based trade strategy that supports job creation by helping more American businesses to sell more goods and services in more places around the world."
For more information about the NEI, visit www.ustr.gov.
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