RUSH COMMENDS PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR HIS CREATION of the NATIONAL EXPORT INITIATIVE

WASHINGTON -- In the midst of a slow but steady reversal of fortune in the nation's strengthening labor market, U. S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-01) applauded today's action by President Barack Obama to launch a comprehensive strategy to promote American exports.  Through a presidential executive order signed this morning, the President created the National Export Initiative (NEI), an ambitious, intergovernmental initiative to put the full weight and resources of the federal government behind a coordinated effort to identify export trade opportunities for American businesses.

"I am very pleased that the President has used the power he has to jump start an effort that I believe will go a long way toward helping to connect the talent and ingenuity of entrepreneurs and small businesses with the growing, global opportunities for our goods and services to serve expanded and developing markets," said Rush who has made a concerted effort as Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection to work with domestic and international trade associations to expand trade and job opportunities between the U.S. and Africa, Cuba, Latin America and other parts of the world.

"Last year, I held a hearing where I said that today's economic environment demands a 'bolder effort' to increase our exports and global competitiveness. I commend the President for making what appears to be a bold step to expand our nation's exports while, at the same time, creating more jobs here at home."

On March 17, 2009, Chairman Rush held a hearing that, in part, focused on the impact of government-sponsored export promotion programs and the effectiveness of assistance available to help U. S. businesses expand their markets for U.S. products and services in diverse, international markets.  During the hearing, Rush pointed out that, over the years, Congress had addressed concerns about several important aspects of export promotions, specifically as it related to inter-agency coordination, common goals, small business assistance and enforcement of trade agreements. Rush also noted that as a result of neglect by the previous Administration, despite America's position as the world's largest manufacturing country,  the U.S. had the smallest percentage of its Gross Domestic Product derived from exports in comparison to any other G-7 country.

During that hearing, Rush noted that, "U.S. export promotion spending lags behind that of Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Korea, Canada and Japan."  Rush believes that the Administration's commitment to identifying increased trade opportunities must be matched with an equal commitment to help strengthen and support innovative small businesses.  He will soon introduce comprehensive legislation aimed at strengthening small businesses' ability to operate successfully within the public and private sectors.

Highlights of some of the key provisions of the President's Executive Order include:

• the creation of an Export Promotion Cabinet made up of the Departments of State, Treasury, Commerce, Agriculture, Labor, and other federal agencies responsible for exports;
•  the re-establishment of the President's Export Council, the principal private sector advisory committee on international trade;
•  the State Department's creation of a Senior Visitors Business Liaison in all of America's embassies to proactively look for export opportunities and provide advice to American companies; and
•  the creation of what the Obama Administration calls "one-stop-shops" that provide a comprehensive toolkit of services—from financing to counseling to promotion—to help potential exporters grow and expand. 

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