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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
Remarks by J. Brady Anderson,
US Department of Commerce
USAID Administrator
New Orleans, LA
October 23, 2000
Thank you, Gene-and thank you also to Michelle O'Neil and the folks at US Department of Commerce for hosting this luncheon and this conference.
Let me also thank Mayor Morial- who I had the pleasure of traveling with recently with the President to Africa.
It's a pleasure to be here today.
USAID is perhaps best known for its work in humanitarian assistance and primary health. I am very proud of the pioneering work we have done to stem the spread of AIDS in Africa, to combat polio, malaria and TB, to get children immunized, to afford pregnant women and babies the health care they desperately need.
But just as important, USAID also works to help build the rule of law, promote an independent media, combat poverty and improve the business climate. And it is this work that affects American businesses the most.
We seek to develop strong, stable economic institutions in developing countries. These institutions, in turn, encourage trade and investment-creating new opportunities and markets for American firms.
By focusing on economic growth -- in partnership with state and local trade offices and NGO's, we have helped countries graduate from being recipients of foreign aid to becoming our trading partners.
For example, U.S. exports to Poland have been expanding an average of 11 percent annually since our aid program began in 1990. The demand for U.S. exports in the countries of Central Europe-countries like Slovenia and Hungary-have also increased by almost fivefold. Each of these countries "graduated" from USAID assistance.
Globalization has presented American businesses with a tremendous opportunity: today, over 40 percent of American exports go to developing countries, where 80 percent of the world population lives.
As we move further into the new century, one of the challenges facing American business will be-how can we tap into the emerging markets the new economy has created?
During the Clinton-Gore Administration nearly 300 new trade agreements have been concluded. This export expansion has accounted for more than one-quarter of the record U.S. economic growth between 1992 and 1998 and has helped create jobs that, on average, pay 15 percent more than non-export related jobs.
In the last ten years the number of small firms that export products has tripled, rising from roughly 69,000 in 1987 to 209,000 in 1997.
Much of this work has been accomplished through the efforts of our state trade partners, such as Louisiana, with which we have a Memorandum of Understanding. Last year alone Louisiana's exports totaled over $3.9 billion.
USAID's Global Technology Network focuses on the demand for U.S. goods and technology by linking, via the Internet, small- and medium-sized overseas firms with U.S businesses. USAID, through GTN, uses our detailed knowledge of developing countries and their markets-our understanding of local needs, conditions, and financing-to help American firms do business abroad.
In fact, GTN has already helped American firms generate over $300 million in exports. Louisiana has over 72 companies registered in the GTN system and we would like to greatly increase that number.
I have spoken to groups in New York, Chicago, and Seattle in the last two weeks about the success of this program and our hopes that the U.S. private sector will continue to play an important role in our development process through the GTN.
As you can see, our investment in foreign assistance is really an investment in America. Countries, which are more developed make, better trading partners. And U.S. firms need overseas markets to remain competitive in the global marketplace. It is that simple.
This week, Congress will vote on the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which includes funding for USAID. Unlike you, many Americans are not aware of the benefits of spending even a very small share of our resources abroad.
We know that it is in our own interest to help economies grow overseas and address challenges before they become conflicts. And this is in fact what aid does.
We must continue to work with other countries to diffuse crises, promote more open economic and political systems and to strengthen the rule of law.
For as President Clinton has said: "These have been the guiding principles of American foreign policy for generations. They have served the American people well, and greatly helped to advance the cause of peace and freedom around the world."
Thank you again for having me here today.
This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
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Last Updated on: July 12, 2001 |
