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FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE�������������������������������������������������������� Contact:
Julie Cram
May 20, 2002������������������������������������������
������������������������������������������������������������� 202-482-3809
Commerce Under Secretary Grant Aldonas Honors Louisiana Businesses
for Export Achievements
World
Trade Week Event Spotlights Importance of Trade to Local Economy
Commerce Under Secretary for
International Trade Grant Aldonas today presented three Louisiana companies
with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Export Achievement Award.� The
award recognizes business clients of the Department’s Commercial Service
that have used their services to make their first export sale or open new
foreign markets.� President Bush has declared May 19-25 as World Trade Week,
and the award ceremony today helped kick off related events around the nation.
“Most
of the jobs in America are created by small businesses,”
Aldonas said. “Small
and medium-sized companies like those in Louisiana comprise almost 97
percent of U.S. exporter. The Bush Administration will continue to work
hard to help U.S. firms increase exports that generate high-paying jobs
for the working people of Lousiana and across America.”
The
award winners are Computrols, of New Orleans; Oil Stop, Inc. of Harvey,
and Tropical Export Company, of Kenner.� According to U.S. Commerce Department
figures, Louisiana export sales totaled nearly $4 billion last year.
“It
is also important to note that while we are all celebrating the many benefits
of trade during World Trade Week, President Bush still does not have the
Trade Promotion Authority he needs to bring the benefits of open markets
to the American people.� Increasing trade gives America the opportunity
to export its greatest commodity: freedom. Granting the President Trade
Promotion Authority would help grow the
economy in Louisiana and the rest of the country, so I urge Congress to
pass TPA now,” concluded Aldonas.
The
U.S. Export Assistance Center in New Orleans, which conducted over 600
business counseling sessions last year and facilitated millions of dollars
in export sales, is part of the global network of the U.S. Commercial
Service, a Commerce Department agency that helps small and medium-sized
U.S. businesses sell their products and services globally.
The
Commercial Service network includes 108 domestic and more than 150 international
offices.� In 2001, the U.S. Commercial Service helped U.S. businesses
generate export sales worth more than $34 billion.� For
more information on the U.S. Commercial Service, please visit www.buyusa.com or call the U.S. Export Assistance
Center in New Orleans at 504-589-6546.
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