Commerce to Boost Trade Promotion Presence in Asian, African Markets
The Commerce Department aims to add a total of 68 new International Trade Administration staff positions globally and open five new offices in foreign markets, said Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker in mid-April. The expansion targets Asian and sub-Saharan African markets, Pritzker said, adding that Commerce will launch its first Foreign Commercial Service office in Burma. Commerce will begin implementing the expansion in the coming months.
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“We know that when U.S. firms sell their goods overseas, the U.S. economy stands to benefit. U.S. exports reached a record $2.3 trillion in 2013, and exports now support 11.3 million jobs, up 1.6 million since 2009,” said Pritzker. “With additional resources to support our companies abroad, we can build on this success, continue to generate economic growth, and create jobs.”
The U.S. Commercial Service, the trade promotion arm of the International Trade Administration, will more than double its efforts in Africa by opening offices in Angola, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Mozambique, and expanding offices in Kenya, Ghana, Morocco, and Libya, said Commerce. The Commercial Service will also open an office in Wuhan, China and will add staff at 10 other Asian offices.