Short Takes: News from the International Trade Administration

Haiti Reconstruction Efforts Focus of Business Dialogue

U.S. Secretary fo Commerce Gary Locke and Haitian Minister of Tourism Patrick Delatour shake hands.

Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke (left) and Haitian Minister of Tourism Patrick Delatour (right) were featured speakers at the Haiti Reconstruction Business Dialogue that was held at the Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., on April 20. (U.S. Department of Commerce photo)

The Department of Commerce welcomed more than 300 Haitian and U.S. business leaders, representatives from non-governmental and international organizations, and senior government officials in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2010, to discuss reconstruction efforts in Haiti. The Haiti Reconstruction Business Dialogue was the first in a series of outreach events that the department is sponsoring. Future outreach events are scheduled for May 10 in Brooklyn, New York; May 25 in Miami, Florida; and June 7 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In his opening remarks, Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke emphasized how important private-sector engagement will be in rebuilding Haiti. “Haiti’s efforts [at rebuilding] will focus in large measure on the creation of jobs and opportunities for its people.… The private sector will play a critical role in providing these opportunities through the trade and investment that will benefit people both in Haiti and the United States.”

Patrick Delatour, Haitian minister of tourism, who is charged with leading the country’s rebuilding efforts, gave the keynote address. A panel on private-sector perspectives on doing business in Haiti included representatives from Trilogy International Partners, Hanesbrands, Crowley Maritime Corporation, and BEA Architects. Another panel, which consisted of representatives from the U.S. Agency for International Development, Inter-American Development Bank, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and U.S. Trade and Development Agency, provided an overview of the resources and opportunities available to help rebuild Haiti.

The earthquake in Haiti this past January killed more than 230,000 people and destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure. A study by the Inter-American Development Bank estimates that reconstruction costs will be $8 billion to $14 billion.

For more information on the three upcoming events, visit the following Web sites:

Exports from Major U.S. Metropolitan Areas Detailed in New Data Release

Billion-Dollar Markets:The Top 10 U.S. Metropolitan Areas in Terms of Merchandise Exports in 2008. Metropolitan Area (and State) Export Sales in billions. New York–Northern New Jersey–Long Island (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania) $95.2, Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown (Texas) $80.0, Los Angeles–Long Beach–Santa Ana (California) $60.0, Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue (Washington) $46.9, Detroit–Warren–Livonia (Michigan) $44.5, Chicago–Naperville–Joliet (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin) $35.6, Miami–Fort Lauderdale–Miami Beach (Florida) $33.4, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara (California) $27.0, Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington (Minnesota, Wisconsin) $25.2, Boston–Cambridge–Quincy (Massachusetts, New Hampshire) $23.0. Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Metropolitan Export Data.

The United States had 145 metropolitan areas that recorded exports of more than $1 billion in 2008, according to the latest release of the International Trade Administration’s data series Metropolitan Export Data. The series measures export values for 371 U.S. metropolitan areas. The information is gathered by the Census Bureau, which records the value of merchandise exported from each of the metropolitan areas. The data contained in the series covers 2005–2008.

According to the latest release, nine metropolitan areas posted export sales of more than $25 billion in 2008: New York ($95.2 billion); Houston ($80.0 billion); Los Angeles ($60.0 billion); Seattle ($46.9 billion); Detroit ($44.5 billion); Chicago ($35.6 billion); Miami ($33.4 billion); San Jose, California ($27.0 billion); and Minneapolis ($25.2 billion). An additional 40 metropolitan areas exported between $5 billion and $24 billion. Together the top 49 metropolitan areas accounted for 67 percent of total U.S. merchandise exports in 2008.

Of the 371 tracked areas, 292 recorded positive growth in exports between 2007 and 2008. From that number, 32 areas expanded exports by more than $1 billion. Another 14 metropolitan areas posted export increases between $500 million and $1 billion, while 86 registered export increases between $100 million and $499 million.

Metropolitan Export Data was first published in 2008 (see February 2008 issue of International Trade Update). The series offers breakdowns of its data in a number of ways, including metropolitan area exports as a percentage of the state total (where possible), exports to individual countries (for the 50 largest metropolitan areas), top global export product categories, and total exports to 10 regional destinations. Beginning in 2008, data are also available for the top metropolitan area exporters by industry or by country.

To access Metropolitan Export Data and to learn more about the trade data published by the International Trade Administration, visit www.trade.gov/metrodata.

ITA Unveils Revamped Web Site

Beginning on April 5, 2010, visitors to www.trade.gov, the Web site for the International Trade Administration (ITA), may have noticed a few changes to the look and feel of the site, as ITA took first steps toward implementing a complete overhaul of its online presence.

The new face of Trade.gov is the first phase in what is planned to be a long-term effort to remake the agency’s key means of communication. The changes that were unveiled in April involved a redesign of the site’s basic look and a reorganization of information presentation.

“We took a long look at how other federal agencies were successfully communicating with their clients and stakeholders,” said Valeisha Butterfield, deputy director of ITA’s Office of Public Affairs and team lead on the project. “Our team, including Jeremy Caplan, the ITA’s Web master, created a customized model. As a result, the new site makes much better use of current technology and brings us closer to our audience.”

Aside from increased visual appeal and better navigation, the site integrates videos, graphics, and links to social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, into its basic structure.

Contributors to this section include Elizabeth Clark and Michael Greene of the International Trade Administration’s Manufacturing and Services unit and Susan Hupka of the International Trade Administration’s Market Access and Compliance unit.

www.TRADE.gov

The International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, manages this global trade site to provide access to ITA information on promoting trade and investment, strengthening the competitiveness of U.S. industry, and ensuring fair trade and compliance with trade laws and agreements. External links to other Internet sites should not be construed as an endorsement of the views or privacy policies contained therein. This site contains PDF documents. A PDF reader is available from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

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