For Immediate Release: October 6, 2009
Contact: Tim Truman  (202) 482-3809

U.S. Commercial Service Export Promotion Activities Highlighted

WASHINGTON – The International Trade Administration’s (ITA) role as the premier resource for American companies competing in the global marketplace was highlighted in testimony at today’s Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export Promotion hearing.

Rochelle Lipsitz, Acting Assistant Secretary for Trade Promotion and Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS) discussed ITA’s efforts and successes in spearheading U.S. government endeavors regarding export promotion, and the importance of exporting to the U.S. economy.

“In 2008, exports accounted for 13 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” Lipsitz said. “Last year, the United States exported an astounding $1.84 trillion worth of goods and services. These export figures translate directly into the creation of jobs in the United States. The latest available employment numbers indicate that roughly six million U.S. jobs depend on manufactured exports.”

As part of ITA, CS helps American firms and workers navigate the often complicated and unpredictable waters of foreign trade so that U.S. firms’ sales abroad help to support jobs here in the United States.

In fiscal year 2008, U.S. firms assisted by CS reported more than 12,000 export successes. Eighty-two percent of these successes were achieved by small and medium-sized businesses.

Acting Assistant Secretary Lipsitz’s testimony is available at http://trade.gov/press/speeches/lipsitz_100609.asp.

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