STATE OF ALABAMA

Office of the Governor


BOB RILEY
Governor
 

Press Office

March 20, 2008

Governor Riley Outlines Alabama’s Trade Strategy
Honors Innovative Companies with Governor’s Trade Excellence Awards

MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley today outlined Alabama’s trade strategy that will focus on increasing opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses to export products to growing markets overseas. At an event in the State Capitol to recognize recipients of the 2008 Governor’s Trade Excellence Awards, Governor Riley said export potential for Alabama goods has never been stronger.

Growth in exports from Alabama companies has increased nearly 60 percent since 2004 and now totals more than $14 billion. More than 3,000 companies in the state sell their products and services in overseas markets.  Last year, exports from Alabama were sold in 188 countries worldwide.

“Alabama’s economy has witnessed a lot of great success during the past few years.  One of our greatest successes is the remarkable growth of our exports,” said Governor Riley.  “This has resulted in more jobs, increased revenue and a more diverse market for Alabama products. Our trade strategy is working, and we will continue to adapt it and build on our success so that every company that wants to trade overseas has the opportunity to do so.”

The strategy, Export Alabama, was launched by Governor Riley in 2004 as an effort to expand access for Alabama goods in foreign markets where demand is growing. At the direction of the Governor, the plan is updated each year identifying new and expanding trade opportunities for Alabama.

As part of the effort, Governor Riley, the Alabama Development Office, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Export Alabama Trade Alliance have led several trade missions overseas and conducted seminars across the state to educate Alabama businesses on export opportunities that could improve their ability to compete in the global marketplace.

In 2008, Governor Riley will lead trade and business development missions to China and South America, and host business delegations from Central America, Vietnam and China.  In addition, the state’s export strategy will focus on two growing markets with great potential for Alabama products:  South Africa and Turkey.

The 2008 trade strategy will also include a series of seminars across the state for Alabama businesses interested in exporting and building closer commercial ties to foreign markets.

During the event at the State Capitol, Governor Riley presented eight Alabama companies the Governor’s Trade Excellence Award.  The award was created in 2005 to recognize Alabama’s successful exporters as role models for the Alabama business community.

Award winners were nominated from industries within the manufacturing, service and agribusiness sectors, and were selected by the Export Alabama Alliance based on: