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For Immediate Release: May 9, 2013
Contact: Mary Trupo (202) 482-3809
Obama Trade Official launches Trade Winds Asia in Hong Kong
Under Secretary Francisco Sanchez, U.S. Firms to Explore Export Opportunities in Key Market
HONG KONG – Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sánchez arrived in Hong Kong today with representatives from a group of U.S. companies to kickoff Trade Winds Asia 2013. The annual trade mission and business matchmaking event helps participating firms gain market insights, make industry contacts, and solidify business strategies in order to expand U.S. exports to trading partners in this critical region.
“Hong Kong serves as the gateway for one of the most important and fastest-growing economic regions in the global marketplace,” Sánchez said. “I’m honored to lead a delegation of U.S. business representatives that are eager to explore the vast opportunities to sell their high-quality products and services to consumers in Hong Kong and throughout Southeast Asia.”
Hong Kong is currently the 10th largest export market for U.S. goods. In 2012, total U.S. merchandise exports to Hong Kong exceeded $37.5 billion, a nearly three percent increase from the previous year. Annual U.S. exports to Hong Kong have grown at the fastest rate among any of our top 20 export markets during the past several years.
Under Secretary Sánchez continues his Trade Winds visit with stops in Seoul, South Korea, and Tokyo, Japan. More than 70 U.S. companies are participating in Trade Winds Asia 2013, which, in addition to Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan, includes visits to the Philippines and Taiwan.
Trade Winds Asia 2013 advances President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which aims to support job creation and economic growth by doubling U.S. exports by the end of 2014.
For additional information about Trade Winds Asia 2013, please visit http://export.gov/pennsylvania/tradewinds/.
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