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For Immediate Release: October 25, 2010
Contact: Mary Trupo (202) 482-3809
Commerce Under Secretary Francisco SÁnchez to Lead Energy and Infrastructure Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia
WASHINGTON – Francisco Sánchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, will lead the Department of Commerce International Trade Administration’s trade mission to Saudi Arabia, December 6-8, 2010, with representatives from 15 U.S. companies. Saudi Arabia has been identified as a key “next tier” market where U.S. companies have increasing opportunities in the next five to 10 years. This mission will focus on energy and infrastructure sectors in the Saudi market.
“The Saudi Arabian energy and infrastructure sectors rank among the world’s most dynamic, and we are visiting Riyadh and Dhahran the country’s primary hubs for those critical industries,” Sanchez said. “U.S. companies have already procured government contracts worth approximately $140 billion in 2010, and energy and infrastructure projects worth billions of dollars that will create export opportunities for American firms are planned for the future.”
This trade mission advances President Obama’s National Export Initiative which aims to double U.S. exports within five years, supporting economic and job growth. The business delegation will have an opportunity to promote equipment, services, and technologies in the oil and gas, petrochemical, and construction sectors with foreign businesses, buyers, and governments.
The United States is the largest exporter of goods and services to Saudi Arabia. In 2009, U.S. exports to Saudi Arabia totaled $10.8 billion. Through June 2010, U.S. exports to this critical market have increased by eight percent from last year.
The following companies were selected for participation in the trade mission:
- Altec Worldwide, LLC – Birmingham, Ala.
- Apprion – Mountain View, Calif.
- Designcraft, P.A. – Charlotte, N.C.
- Elkhart Products Corporation – Elkhart, Ind.
- First Solar – Tempe, Ariz.
- Fisher Scientific – Suwanee, Ga.
- General Electric – Washington, D.C.
- InfoSight Corporation – Chillicothe, Ohio
- Perma Pure LLC – Toms River, N.J.
- SAIC – Houston, Texas
- Sebesta Blomberg, Inc. – Roseville, Minn.
- The Shaw Group – Centennial, Colo.
- Westinghouse – Cranberry Township, Pa.
- WR Grace & Company – Cambridge, Mass.
- Wunderlich-Malec Engineering – Minnetonka, Minn.
The mission will provide U.S. participants with first-hand market information and access to government decision makers. Additionally, one-on-one meetings will be arranged with potential agents, distributors, and partners.
The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) has representation across the globe to help businesses start exporting, increase their exports and find business opportunities in foreign countries, leading to job creation in America. ITA also helps ensure a level playing field globally for U.S. businesses.
As of today, Commerce has led 27 trade missions that included more than 300 companies to 31 countries since President Obama announced the National Export Initiative (NEI) during his State of the Union earlier this year.
For additional information, please visit www.trade.gov/trade-missions.
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International Trade Administration
The International Trade Administration (ITA) is the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace. ITA has 2,100 employees assisting U.S. exporters in more than 100 U.S. cities and 77 countries worldwide. For more information on ITA visit www.trade.gov.
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