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For Immediate Release: April 18, 2011
Contact: Lorri Crowley (202) 482-3809
Commerce Under Secretary SÁnchez Joins Senator Stabenow to Highlight Export Opportunities for Michigan Businesses to Grow and Expand Globally
LANSING, Mich.—U.S. Commerce Department’s Under Secretary for International Trade Francisco Sanchez joined Senator Debbie Stabenow today at a town hall meeting to discuss global competitiveness and to highlight opportunities for local Michigan businesses to sell their products internationally and create jobs in their community. Sanchez told the business leaders in attendance at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce that exports are one of the surest ways to accelerate economic growth, create new jobs and improve living standards.
“I’m honored to join Senator Stabenow in offering practical solutions to Michigan companies seeking to export, create jobs and compete globally.” It's businesses like these that are helping to move our economy forward and reach our goal to double exports by 2015,” said Sanchez.
The National Export Initiative calls for a doubling of U.S. exports by 2015 to support several million jobs. In 2010, U.S. exports grew by nearly 17 percent from the previous year, keeping the United States on track to achieve this goal.
“This meeting is an opportunity for Mid-Michigan businesses to learn more about federal export resources and how they can overcome unfair trade barriers to export more of their products. More exports mean more jobs for Michigan families, said Senator Stabenow.”
Under Secretary Sanchez and Senator Stabenow also listened to ideas from the business leaders on ways to increase exports.
U.S. exports of goods and services in 2010 increased nearly 17 percent over 2009 – the largest year-to-year percent change in more than 20 years. Michigan’s export shipments of merchandise in 2010 totaled $44.5 billion. Export-supported jobs linked to manufacturing account for an estimated 7.6 percent of Michigan’s total private-sector employment.
Under Secretary Sanchez and Senator Debbie Stabenow will travel to Detroit tomorrow to discuss global export opportunities with local business leaders at the Detroit Regional Chamber.
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International Trade Administration
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