The American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) trade group, which represents 160 of the nation's port authorities, and the United States Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) have tendered their collective support to President Barack Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI), which seeks to double US exports in the next five years.
The AAPA and ITA solidified their collective support of the NEI last week with the signing a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) that implements the “Partnership with America’s Seaports to Further the National Export Initiative.”
Under the terms of the MOI, the AAPA and ITA will partner to coordinate communications, idea exchanges, activities and services that assist U.S. businesses in exporting; and to increase awareness of the available services, trade missions, programs and overseas events that involve U.S. export opportunities.
The MOI was signed at the Port of Oakland by AAPA President and CEO Kurt Nagle and ITA Under-Secretary Francisco Sánchez.
“The AAPA and the Department of Commerce share a strong interest and commitment to increasing trading opportunities for US products abroad,” the AAPA's Nagle said.
“We believe a collaborative approach between Commerce and America’s seaports is the best way to ensure the success of this important national initiative.”
Nagle added that achieving the NEI's five-year export goal requires both assisting exporters and improving the nation's transportation infrastructure.
“As recognized by the Export Promotion Cabinet in their report to the President on the NEI, we must improve our transportation infrastructure to fully realize the potential gains from the NEI and to sustain U.S. international competitiveness,” Nagle said.
“This partnership and investments in infrastructure will pave the way towards a prosperous future for all Americans.”
Thursday, July 28, 2011
