The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the U.S. Commerce Department and FedEx have announced the New Market Exporter Initiative (NMEI), a strategic partnership to make it easier for manufacturers to export to new markets and find new customers around the world. Finding new ways to help small and medium-sized manufacturers export is critical to our economic recovery and job creation. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. exports of goods and services are manufactured goods.
The NMEI will offer NAM members the export expertise of an experienced commercial officer as well as direct access to Department of Commerce programs. FedEx will provide expert logistics advice and services to manufacturers. The program will start with a small base of manufacturers and then expand to thousands of NAM members.
“The NAM and the Commerce Department have had a long-standing, close relationship, and I am pleased to expand this relationship with the NMEI,” said NAM president and CEO John Engler. “Continuing to work to increase exports is critical to keeping manufacturers in America competitive in the growing global marketplace. More than 90 percent of exporters are small and medium-sized manufacturers. These companies will benefit from this agreement and resources to help find new markets and customers, which will help create jobs and grow the economy.”
“We believe it is possible to double exports by 2014, however, key steps need to be taken to achieve this goal,” said Engler. “We must reduce and eliminate trade barriers so our companies can increase market access overseas. We also must level the playing field for our companies so they are receiving the same support as their competitors. The NMEI is a step forward in increasing our nation’s exports.”
For additional information, visit www.nam.org/nmei.
The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing has a presence in every single congressional district providing good, high-paying jobs. For more information, visit www.nam.org.