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Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces Unprecedented Schedule of Trade Missions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, March 11, 2010

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Commerce Secretary Gary Locke Announces Unprecedented Schedule of Trade Missions

Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today announced a slate of 19 new trade missions for 2010, adding that there are some 40 trade missions and reverse trade missions in the works for this year. The unprecedented schedule of Commerce-led trade missions will help advance export opportunities for U.S. businesses and support American jobs.

Locke made the announcement as President Obama described additional details of his National Export Initiative (NEI) in a speech today and underlined the need for expanded advocacy efforts for U.S. products and services abroad.

At this morning’s Export-Import Bank Annual Conference, Locke reiterated his department’s new, focused, high-level efforts to promote U.S. exports as part of the NEI, discussing increased U.S.-led trade missions, reverse trade missions and international buyer programs, which bring foreign buyers to the United States.

“Trade missions are critical to our goal of increasing exports,” Locke said. “I have fully committed my department to go above and beyond in promoting American-made products and services in foreign markets. At the same time, we will work to ensure a level playing field for U.S. businesses abroad, helping to create jobs at home.”

In his remarks today, the president announced five steps the administration is taking under the NEI to help U.S. firms expand sales of their goods and services abroad: creating a new Cabinet-level focus on U.S. exports, expanding export financing, prioritizing government advocacy on behalf of U.S. exporters, providing new resources to U.S. businesses seeking to export and continuing to rigorously enforce our trade laws.

The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is part of the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA). It has representation across the globe to help businesses start exporting, increase their exports and find business opportunities in foreign countries. Additionally, ITA helps ensure a level playing field for U.S. businesses.

(2010 Trade Missions)