Economic Development Today: April 9, 2008

On April 9, 2008, Benjamin Erulkar, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, hosted a panel to discuss strategies for linking regional economies with the fully integrated worldwide marketplace. The panel including: Hon. David Bohigian, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance, Lauree Sahba, Chief Operating Officer, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation and Jim Delisi President, Fanwood Chemical, Inc.

This edition of the EDA’s Economic Development Today focused on expanding exports and strengthening foreign direct investment through free trade agreements championed by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Bush Administration. For American corporations to reach 95% of the world’s consumers they must develop relationships in new markets outside the United States and expand their business internationally. The Department of Commerce’s U.S. Export Assistance Center and Foreign Commercial Service can help American companies achieve their international exporting goals. To learn more about the topics discussed in the telecast, click on the links below:

• The Department of Commerce’s U.S. Export Assistance Center assists businesses with entering foreign markets.
• The Department of Commerce’s Commercial Service connects businesses to their local Export Assistance Center. The Export Assistance Centers provide businesses with market research, determination of their export readiness and can introduce firms to international markets. Businesses can also reach an Export Assistance Center by calling 1-800-USA-TRADE.
• Cluster-based economics allow regions to be more competitive by geographically grouping resources.
• Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson emphasize the significance of the Colombian Free Trade Agreement on the American economy and the United States’ relations with Latin America.
• The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) allows the United States, Mexico and Canada to trade with each other without tariffs (except agricultural products).
• The implementation of a Mega Region strategy takes advantage of combining several smaller regions’ assets to be more competitive in global markets.
• The new European Chemical Regulations, REACH, ensure the safe use of chemicals for humans and the environment.
• The proposed U.S. – South Korean Free Trade Agreement would open opportunities for American chemical, agriculture and automotive companies to compete in the South Korean market.






Economic Development Today: November 8, 2007

Strategies for Success in the 21st Century Global Marketplace: Why Free Trade is Important to U.S. Regions



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On Thursday, November 8, 2007,the Economic Development Administration aired a telecast entitled “Strategies for Success in the 21st Century Global Marketplace – Why Free Trade is Important to U.S. Regions.”

Learn from host Sandy K. Baruah, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development, and a panel of experts in a discussion about the economic development benefits of bolstering free trade.

The guests include:New York Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY6),William Stafford, President, Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle and Anne Burkett, President, North Alabama Trade Association.