Congresswoman Hochul To Host Export Forum To Help Local Businesses Compete In The Global Economy

Press Release

On the heels of the recent announcement that the United States and Canada are entering into an agreement to increase commerce between the two countries, Congresswoman Hochul is helping Western New York small businesses identify export opportunities by hosting a small business export forum this Saturday.

"Our small businesses are the true stimulators of our economy, which is why I support this new joint agreement," said Congresswoman Hochul. "One of the strongest components of this new proposal is that it will make it easier for our small businesses to export their goods across the border to Canada. However, our small businesses need help identifying opportunities to compete in the global economy. That is why I am hosting a Small Business Export Forum this Saturday to connect our small businesses with the experts and resources to help them grow and compete in the global marketplace."

U.S.-Canadian trade currently accounts for 500,000 jobs in New York alone and represents over $535 billion in merchandise trade annually. Export-supported jobs linked to manufacturing account for an estimated 2.6% of New York's total private-sector employment. In 2009, a total of 26,926 companies exported from New York to other nations, 94% of which were small and medium-sized businesses with fewer than 500 employees.

Hochul added, "The inefficiencies at the borders between the U.S. and Canada costs us over $16 billion a year. Imagine how much more our small businesses could contribute to our local economies if we helped them export to Canada and other countries around the world."

Participants in Saturday's event include representatives from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the Small Business Development Center, Empire State Development, The Buffalo World Trade Association, the Erie County IDA, and the Export-Import Bank.

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