Sept. 9, 2004 Federal officials from several agencies will be on St. Croix next week to help business people who have run into obstacles while pursuing foreign trade.
The Public/Private Sector Outreach Export Promotion and Trade Remedies Seminar at the Carambola Beach Resort, Sept. 16-17, will also highlight how business people can give input to officials concerning potential trade agreements.
The seminar will focus on methods used by the federal government to coordinate trade and investment promotion activities among the 19 federal agencies involved in trade and investment expansion.
The Trustees of V.I. Coalition for Sustainable Economic Development, Inc. (VISED) in partnership with the U. S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration and the Office of Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Western Hemisphere are hosting the seminar. It is targeting V.I. entrepreneurs and government officials involved in, or wishing to be involved in, international trade.
Hortense Sackey Milligan-Rowe, VISED's executive director, said in a release issued Tuesday that the seminar will highlight the processes followed by the government to ensure that private sector interests are taken into account and reflected in the trade agreements that are negotiated and explain avenues available to companies seeking remedies to obstacles encountered while pursing foreign trade activities.
According to Milligan-Rowe, who represented VISED chairman Amadeo I. D. Francis and the members of the board of trustees at a Sept. 7 press conference, John M. Andersen, Latin America/Caribbean Director, will lead a team of International Trade Administration professionals.
Also attending are Pamela Woods from the Trade Compliance Center, Maria Dybezak from Import Administration, Jeri Jensen-Moran from the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee, Joseph Enright from the Advocacy Center, Manuel Rosales, International Small Business Administration director and Maritza Ramos, trade specialist, U. S. Export Assistance Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The St. Croix seminar will be preceded by a similar seminar in Puerto Rico on Sept. 15. In 2005 the St. Thomas/St. John district will be the venue for similar seminars, according to Milligan-Rowe.
Advance registration fees are $100 per person payable by Sept. 10. Late registration fees are $125 per person. There will be a special fee for high school and college students.
Milligan-Rowe encouraged the general public to take advantage of this opportunity. For information contact VISED at 772-7900 or 690-8132.
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