(May 20, 2010) The vital role international trade plays in California’s economic recovery was discussed by two trade officials from the Obama administration during an international forum this week presented by the CalChamber Council for International Trade.
The 100 forum attendees were also introduced to the executive director of the newly created Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GoED).
Featured Speakers
Featured speakers at the forum, which was also a breakout session for the CalChamber Business Summit, were:
- Demetrios Marantis, deputy U.S. trade representative Asia and Africa Division, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative;
- Suresh Kumar, assistant secretary for trade promotion, director-general of U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce; and
- Joel Ayala, executive director, GoED.
Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
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| Ambassador Demetrios Marantis, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative |
Marantis discussed Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) issues and the U.S.-hosted APEC meetings scheduled for 2011.
California is expected to have an opportunity to host one or more of the key APEC meetings leading up to the heads-of-state meeting and CEO summit in Honolulu.
The California APEC 2011 Organizing Committee (CalAPEC) is a coalition of business, government and international organizations working to ensure that key meetings take place in California and that U.S. objectives reflect good policy for the Golden State. California is more dependent on Asia-Pacific business than any other U.S. state.
Collectively, the 21 economies of APEC, which touch the Pacific Ocean, represent a large consumer market—nearly half the world’s population, nearly half of all world trade and more than $19 trillion in economic output.
The APEC economies are: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Republic of the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, United States and Vietnam.
Marantis is responsible for U.S. trade negotiations and enforcement in Asia and Africa. He also leads U.S. Trade Representative global initiatives on trade and development, labor, and the environment.
More information is available at www.calchamber.com/APEC.
Marantis recently served as chief international trade counsel (majority) for the U.S. Senate Finance Committee.
National Export Initiative
Kumar discussed President Barack Obama’s National Export Initiative. In his current position, Kumar helps U.S.
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| Assistant Secretary Suresh Kumar, U.S. Department of Commerce |
firms and workers navigate the often-complicated and unpredictable waters of foreign trade so that sales abroad help support U.S. jobs.
The National Export Initiative directs the government to continue its efforts to remove barriers that prevent U.S. companies from getting open and fair access to foreign markets—including combating unfair tariff and non-tariff barriers and addressing practices that blatantly harm U.S. companies.
Kumar explained that the administration will pursue trade agreements that are balanced, ambitious and improve market access for U.S. workers, firms, farmers and ranchers.
The National Export Initiative is focused on three key areas:
- A more robust effort by the Obama administration to expand its trade advocacy in all its forms, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. This effort includes educating U.S. companies about opportunities overseas, directly connecting them with new customers and advocating more forcefully for their interests.
- Improving access to credit with a focus on small and medium-sized businesses that want to export.
- Continuing the rigorous enforcement of international trade laws to help remove barriers that prevent U.S. companies from getting free and fair access to foreign markets.
For more information visit www.export.gov.
Kumar most recently was president and managing partner of KaiZen Innovation, a management advisory firm dedicated to improving local communities and global markets.
Kumar served as special advisor to the Clinton Foundation, working with governments in Sub-Saharan Africa and corporate CEOs to establish private-public partnerships to stimulate economic development in the region.
Kumar led Johnson & Johnson’s Worldwide Consumer Pharmaceuticals business and served on its Group Operating Committee.
GoED
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| Director Joel Ayala, Governor's Office of Economic Development |
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed an executive order establishing GoED to help businesses acquire the direction, information and resources they need to invest, succeed and expand in California.
Those who want to do business in California must interact with the state in many ways, such as establishing, registering and maintaining their businesses, obtaining permits and licenses, reporting required information and paying taxes. The state also has more than 100 individual economic development programs and services available to businesses.
At GoED, Ayala explained that experienced staff will guide businesses through the various state requirements and help them gain access to state resources.
GoED can be contacted toll-free at 877-345-GoED (877-345-4633) or at www.business.ca.gov.
Ayala, appointed by the Governor as executive director of the new office, is former president and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.
Staff Contact: Susanne Stirling