For Immediate Release: July 19, 2012
Contact: Mary Trupo (202) 482-3809
Statement from Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco SÁnchez on President Obama’s Decision to Expedite U.S. Ports Improvements
WASHINGTON – Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez today welcomed President Obama’s announcement to expedite significant infrastructure projects that will modernize and expand the Port of Jacksonville, Port of Miami, Port of Charleston, Port of Savannah, and the Port of New York and New Jersey. U.S. seaports are critical links to expanding exports of U.S.-made products to international markets. In 2011, more than $570 billion in exports flowed through America’s seaports.
“Expanding and modernizing these important U.S. ports as President Obama has called for truly supports his efforts to create jobs and strengthen America’s economy through key infrastructure projects. Longer term, these projects will increase U.S. exports, helping to create good-paying jobs,” Sánchez said. “With more than 75 percent of U.S. trade by volume leaving the United States via our seaports, improving these ports’ infrastructures provides U.S. manufacturers with easier access to the international consumers hungry for their products. The International Trade Administration will continue educating U.S. manufacturers of all sizes about the benefits of exporting, and the important resources available from our U.S. seaports as part of our partnership with the American Association of Port Authorities.”
For more information on ITA’s partnership with the AAPA, please visit http://export.gov/ports/.
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International Trade Administration
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