Top U.S. trade official, Congresswoman Sewell, and Secretary Canfield illustrate how Made-in-America exports are unlocking economic opportunity for Alabamans and supporting well-paying jobs across the state
Montgomery, AL – U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, the chief United States official on international trade and a member of the President’s cabinet, visited Montgomery Monday at the invitation of U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (AL-7) to showcase how Alabama’s exports are bolstering the local economy and to discuss why increasing Made-in-America exports is a key priority of President Obama’s Middle Class Economics agenda.
Ambassador Froman, Congresswoman Sewell, and Secretary Canfield met with a diverse range of Alabamans who are benefiting from trade – from farmers to businesses to local leaders – and stressed the importance of growing American exports in a press conference at the Alabama State Capitol Building.
“Increasing Made-in-America exports is a key priority of President Obama’s Middle Class Economics agenda, and Alabama is an exporting powerhouse,” said U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman. “I appreciate Congresswoman Sewell’s invitation to be here and see first-hand how Alabama’s exports are supporting well-paying jobs all over this state and discuss how we can unlock more economic opportunities to benefit workers, farmers, and businesses.”
“I was thrilled to welcome U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman to Alabama where he will met with local leaders from our agriculture and manufacturing sectors,” said U.S. Representative Terri Sewell (AL-7). “Exports help drive Alabama’s economy. Alabama businesses exported $19.5 billion in merchandise last year, which supported more than 95,000 jobs. Access to foreign markets and fair trade policies that benefit American workers are integral, necessary components that will help Alabama exporters to continue to thrive and spur new job growth.”
“Our state strategic growth plan, Accelerate Alabama, has identified exports as an engine of job creation, and the Alabama Department of Commerce supports the goal of expanding exports through a number of initiatives and by leading trade and business development missions to countries around the world.” Alabama Secretary of Commerce Canfield said. “It’s a priority for us to connect Alabama businesses to potential investors and partners in the global market because those connections trigger growth and create prosperity at home. We’ll continue to work hard to expand Alabama’s exports to destinations all over the globe.”
Alabama exported $19.5 billion in goods exports to the world last year, supporting 95,258 jobs. $1.7 billion of those exports came from the Montgomery area.
3,964 companies exported from Alabama in 2013, and 81.2 of which are small and medium sized businesses.
