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For Immediate Release: May 22, 2012
Contact: Mara Lee (202) 482-3809
Obama Trade Official launches New Partnership With Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce
International Trade Administration, Chamber to Cooperate on Export Promotion
LAS VEGAS – The Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce (LVLCC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) are joining forces to promote expansion of Nevada exports. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez and LVLCC President and Chief Executive Officer Otto Merida today announced a pair of agreements for LVLCC to become an ITA Export Promotion Partner and a participant of ITA’s New Market Exporter Initiative.
“The Hispanic community should be the natural leaders of trade to Latin America, and our partnership with the Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce will help Hispanic companies capitalize on opportunities in this critical region,” Sánchez said during remarks at the LVLCC International Trade Conference. “Our combined export promotion efforts through the New Market Exporter Initiative will enhance opportunities for southern Nevada’s small and medium-sized businesses to export their goods and services, grow their businesses, and create more jobs here at home.”
The LVLCC is the premier advocate for the Hispanic business, cultural, and education community in Nevada. The group’s international trade conference explores opportunities for Nevada companies to do business in Latin America.
Exports to the Western Hemisphere have increased 46 percent since 2009, supporting 4 million U.S. jobs in 2011. The region ranks as the leading destination for U.S. exports globally. More than 42 percent of all U.S. exports were to the Western Hemisphere in 2011.
The May 15 implementation of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement improves access one of the region’s most important markets. The agreement is expected to expand exports of U.S. goods alone by more than $1.1 billion.
In 2011, Nevada exported more than $8 billion in goods. The Las Vegas metropolitan area accounted for nearly 28 percent of all Nevada exports in 2010.
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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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