For Immediate Release: August 5, 2010
Contact: Cory Churches (202) 482-3809
Revitalizing Manufacturing in America Critical to Sustaining and Creating Jobs
Assistant Secretary Lamb-Hale Testifies Before Senate Subcommittee
WASHINGTON – The International Trade Administration’s (ITA) role strengthening U.S. manufacturing was highlighted today in testimony before the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Economic Policy Subcommittee.
Nicole Y. Lamb-Hale, ITA’s Assistant Secretary for Manufacturing and Services, testified on the expertise and economic analysis her organization provides to revitalize manufacturing in America to further job growth. She also highlighted ITA’s Manufacture America Initiative, to be launched which will connect manufacturers to resources to help them rethink, retool, and rebuild their operations through exploring new products, markets, processes, and access to finance.
The United States is the world’s largest manufacturing economy, employing nearly 12 million Americans in the production of $1.6 trillion in manufactured products – 18 percent of the world’s manufactured goods.
“Manufacturing and Services is dedicated to strengthening the global competitiveness of U.S. industry, expanding its market access, and increasing exports,” said Lamb-Hale. “American manufacturing is a critical component of our economy and deserves our full attention to ensure that industry has a pool of skilled workers, access to capital, and a level playing field when competing globally.”
Later today, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke will announce the members of the rechartered Manufacturing Council, an important advisory committee that ensures the regular communication between the federal government and the manufacturing sector.
The Council will be comprised of 24 leaders of the domestic manufacturing sector who represent a broad cross-section of U.S. industry. In addition, the Secretaries of Labor, Energy, and Treasury, will serve as ex-officio members of the Council. The Council was established in April 2004, and re-chartered on July 14, 2010.
For more information on how ITA assists U.S. manufacturers, please visit www.trade.gov/mas.
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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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