Kentucky One of Eight States Chosen to Participate in TradeRoots Program

Frankfort, KY: Governor Ernie Fletcher and His Excellency Andrés Bianchi, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile, along with officials from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, announced today that Kentucky has been selected as one of eight states to participate in the TradeRoots program, the nation’s leading sustained grassroots trade education program dedicated to raising public awareness of international trade on a local level. 

“I am honored to join Ambassador Bianchi today as my administration continues to promote economic development initiatives in the Commonwealth,” Governor Fletcher said. “The TradeRoots program will allow us to market Kentucky products around the world and provide more opportunities for our workforce within the small business community. Additionally, this program will foster our strong relationship with the Republic of Chile and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.”

Kentucky was chosen to participate in the TradeRoots program due to its aggressive international trade program and the potential of its small and midsize companies to export.  This program is designed to enhance existing export assistance programs in the Commonwealth while raising awareness of free trade agreements and increasing export opportunities for existing businesses. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Governor Fletcher and the state of Kentucky to help Kentucky’s small and mid-size companies export,” stated Leslie M. Schweitzer, Senior Trade Advisor, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “This is all about more jobs and more dollars for Kentucky.”

Exports have proven to be of great economic value to individual companies, as well as the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  Kentucky exports rose 21% in 2004 compared to 2003, from $10.7 billion to more than $12.99 billion.  Kentucky is first in the nation in the exportation of livestock and livestock products.  More than 53,000 direct jobs, 38,000 indirect jobs and 51,000 induced jobs in the Commonwealth are sustained by exports to foreign countries.

Following the official announcement today, Governor Fletcher will host an “Export Kentucky” kickoff luncheon at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort in Lexington for Kentucky’s trade partners and business community.  Ambassador Bianchi will address the group regarding business opportunities in Chile and the opportunities created for Kentucky companies by current trade agreements.  The Cabinet for Economic Development has maintained a representative office in Santiago, Chile since 2001.

In addition, Export Kentucky, in conjunction with the Cabinet for Economic Development’s International Trade Division and local and federal partners, will be hosting seminars across the state throughout the next few months to cover topics such as international banking, international law, compliance, freight forwarding, certificates of origin, opportunities provided by U.S. free trade agreements, cultural training and much more.  Confirmed upcoming seminar dates and locations are listed below:

Henderson

Date: March 22, 2005

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. CT

Location: Wolf’s Convention Center, 325 First Street, Henderson

Western KY/Paducah/Hickory

Date: March 23, 2005

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. CT

Location: TVA Office Building, 10060 Highway 45-North, Hickory

Ashland

Date: March 29, 2005

Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. ET

Location: Ashland Community & Technical College, 1400 College Drive Campus, Ashland

Somerset

Date: March 30, 2005

Time: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET

Location: The Center for Rural Development, 2292 South Highway 27, Suite 300, Somerset

Louisville

Date: March 31, 2005

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET

Location: LG&E Tower, 220 W. Main Street, 12th Floor, Louisville

Ft. Mitchell

Date: April 1, 2005

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET

Location: Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Buttermilk Pike, Ft. Mitchell

For registration information, please visit www.thinkkentucky.com and click on Calendar of Events or contact the International Trade Division within the Cabinet for Economic Development at 502-564-7140.

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