Expanding Trade

Throughout my career in public service I have been a strong advocate for free trade, and I believe it directly relates to the creation of new jobs. Free trade impacts local, national and global markets. Free trade opens foreign markets to Arkansas' largest exports like rice, cotton, poultry, and pork. The following list of links dealing with trade might be of help to you and your small business:

• United States Trade and Development Agency

• The SBA Export Working Capital Program

• International Trade Loan Program

• American Chambers of Commerce Around the World

Department of Commerce Export Assistance Programs

• Trade Information Center

• Foreign Trade Zones

• Overseas Private Investment Corporation

• Economic Development Administration

• Export Assistance Center

• Export-Import Bank

• Working Capital Guarantee Program

• Export Credit Insurance Programs

• Project Finance Program

• Finance Guarantee Program

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, every $1 billion in exports creates 22,000 jobs. These are jobs that generally pay 17 percent more than the average U.S. wage.