Landrieu, Snowe Praise New Trade Initiatives

Changes increase exporting opportunities for small businesses

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United States Senate Committee
on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Mary Landrieu, D-La., and Ranking
Member Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, made the following comments in response to
United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ronald Kirk's announcement this
morning of new initiatives to help increase small businesses' access to
exporting:

"Our Committee has heard testimony that as small businesses find their
domestic market increasingly tapped out because of the recession, exporting
has become a practical solution for small firms looking to survive and grow,"
Senator Landrieu said. "I appreciate that Ambassador Kirk is taking this issue
seriously. These two new initiatives are a step in the right direction. With
more advocacy and better coordination among agencies, small businesses can
create new and higher-paying jobs, lessen the trade deficit and make our
nation better able to compete in the global marketplace. In addition to these
changes, I would like Ambassador Kirk to consider our request for an Assistant
USTR exclusively for small business. This will ensure that there is an
advocate for small businesses in the room during trade negotiations."

"I applaud today's announcement by United States Trade Representative Kirk
that will help ensure small businesses are adequately considered in America's
trade policy - and particularly that the Small Business Administration will be
included in that process," said Ranking Member Snowe. "I specifically called
on the USTR to work closely with the SBA in small business exporting
legislation I introduced earlier this year, and I appreciate Ambassador Kirk
acting quickly on these ideas. At the same time, it is my hope that the
Administration will soon appoint an Assistant USTR for Small Business to
demonstrate that small companies are a priority in trade agreements and trade
remedies. This is a critical measure that I have long called for, and it is a
worthy goal that I will continue to pursue."

While small businesses represent about 97 percent of all exporters, merely one
percent of small firms are currently exporting. This tiny fraction makes up
only one quarter of the country's export volume, demonstrating that trade
remains dominated by larger businesses.

Senators Landrieu, Snowe and Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., in March requested
Ambassador Kirk to add an assistant USTR for small business. Additionally,
Senator Landrieu introduced in June a bill to help increase small business
trade opportunities - "S.1196: The Small Business International Trade
Enhancements Act of 2009" - and held a field hearing on the topic in New
Orleans at which Ambassador Kirk and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
Administrator Karen Mills testified. Senator Snowe also introduced a trade
bill: "S. 1208: The Small Business Export Opportunity Development Act of
2009." The two senators are preparing to release a bipartisan bill in the
coming weeks.

More details on Ambassador Kirk's new initiatives are available by clicking
here.

Senator Landrieu's small business trade activities - including her bill - can
be found by clicking here.

Senator Landrieu's statement and witness testimony from the June 30th field
hearing she chaired in New Orleans can be found by clicking here.

Senator Snowe's trade activities can be found by clicking here.

SOURCE U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship

Vicki Ekstrom of the Office of Senator Landrieu, +1-202-224-9431,
Victoria_Ekstrom@sbc.senate.gov or Matthew Berger of the Office of Senator
Snowe, +1-202-224-8493, Matthew_Berger@sbc.senate.gov