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The International Trade Symposium “Global Growth: Expanding Small Business Through Exporting” was held on Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. The symposium was organized by the Small Business Administration, the Department of Commerce, and the Association of Small Business Development Centers.
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SBA Associate Administrator Eric Zarnikow of the Office of Capital Access introduces SBA Acting Administrator Sandy Baruah
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SBA Acting Administrator Sandy Baruah delivers the opening remarks
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In his opening remarks, SBA Acting Administrator Sandy Baruah said, “There’s hardly a more appropriate time for a symposium on small business exports, given the reality that we now live, work, and invest in what New York Times columnist Tom Friedman calls a ‘flat’ world. In the global economy of the 21st century, our competition is not just the firm down the road. Our competition comes from anyone in any corner of the globe with a good idea, a good education, and a good Internet connection.
Global markets and a global economy present not just new competition, but also new opportunities for partnerships. Our business and trading partners can now be anyone, anywhere on the globe. This is why we have asked you to come today, and most importantly, why President Bush and this Administration have been pushing Congress to pass Free Trade Agreements with allied countries in the Americas such as Columbia and Panama. Given that 95% of our customers and workers don’t call America home, the case for expanding free-trade agreements should be obvious. Just in case it isn’t, consider the following facts:
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Last year, exports accounted for 40% of our economic growth, a trend that has continued into 2008.
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From January to August 2008, U.S. exports totaled $850.5 billion – a huge economic stimulus that kept America growing despite the slowdown in the domestic housing market. Many economists believe those exports are the MAIN reason that America’s economy had positive growth in the first half of the year.
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Since 2004, the United States has annually experienced double-digit increases in exports. In 2007, exports were up by 8.4% (adjusted for inflation), compared to a U.S. economic growth rate of 2%. In 10 of the past 15 years, U.S. export growth has exceeded GDP growth.”
Read Acting Administrator Baruah's full remarks here.
Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez also spoke about the importance of trade and its role in ensuring future American prosperity, and about the trade accomplishments of the Bush administration.
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Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez delivers remarks on the importance of international trade to the U.S. economy
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SBA Acting Administrator Sandy Baruah and Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez
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Panel discussions were held on “Tapping into the U.S. Export Arsenal” and “Small Business Exporters’ Success Stories.”
The first panel discussion, with representatives of Northern VA USEAC, SBA, Ex-Im Bank, and SBDC
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The second panel discussion, with representatives of Quality Defense Spares, Inc., The Great Gourmet, Inc., and Dream Pak
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The audience actively engaged with the panelists
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Symposium attendees show their appreciation for a productive and enlightening day
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This program was cosponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration, The Association of Small Business Development Centers and International Gateway at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center; with participation from the U.S. Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee.
Disclaimer: Cosponsorship Authorization #08-7080-27.
SBA, ASBCD and other cosponsor’s participation in this cosponsored activity is not an endorsement of
the views, opinions, products or services of any cosponsor or other person or entity.
All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.
Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
Contact: Richard Ginsburg 202-205-7429.
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