Two states help exporters - Tennessee and Kentucky

Two States Help Exporters

By John D. Walker, Director, Office of Export Promotion, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

The State of Tennessee Export Office was created in January 1979. To date, the work of the office has focused on advising businesses on how to market their goods and services overseas and educating them on the mechanics involved with exporting.

On May 25, 1984, in the Rose Garden of the White House, President Reagan presented the Presidential "E' Award to the Export Office. Quite an accomplishment in just five years.

Having enjoyed success in educating potential exporters, the office intends to expand its direct services by establishing a product match capability which will result in increased sales leads for Tennessee exporters.

In May 1983, Tennessee was the first state to pass legislation establishing an export finance authority. The Tennessee Competitive Export Corporation (TCEC) is tasked with assisting exporters and their bankers in financing new exports from the state. TCEC provides not only advice and direction but also allows staff members to function as unpaid consultants to banks or manufacturers to actually prepare loan and guarantee requests.

The Tennessee Export Office is an active member of the Mid-South Trade Council (MSTC). The MSTC is a unique five-state (Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana) cooperative export effort that allows businessmen from each state to participate in trade promotion programs from any of the other states.

Tennessee was tasked with organizing a unified effort at Saudi Food '85 and Saudi Agriculture '85 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Upcoming projects include participating in the "Made in U.S.A.' trade fair in Nagoya, Japan, and the signing of a sister-state agreement with a province in the People's Republic of China.

By Ted Sauer, Executive Director, Office of International Marketing, Kentucky Commerce Cabinet

Export trade is receiving renewed attention in Kentucky with several new directions being implemented in the state's foreign trade promotional activities.

The Commerce Cabinet, under the leadership of Secretary of Commerce Carroll Knicely, considers export sales a vital part of the state's total economic development program. Secretary Knicely notes that Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins has a strong commitment to economic development, a commitment that leads the Governor to be personally involved in meetings and discussions with development and trade interests.

Governor Collins is scheduled to visit Japan in March at the invitation of the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs. Along with calling on trade and investment prospects, the Governor plans to be on hand for opening ceremonies of the "Made in USA' Trade Fair in Nagoya. Ten Kentucky firms will participate in the fair either as a part of the state exhibit or in conjunction with the state booth--a further indication of renewed efforts to market Kentucky's products overseas.

Reinstituting a program to promote the state's manufactured and processed products in foreign markets has enabled the Office of International Marketing to establish a definitive program. Working closely with exporters and potential exporters, the office hopes to maximize results by designating specific products for targeted markets. A newly authorized Kentucky Export Council, a private sector advisory body, is designed to unify promotional efforts.

The state's Far East representative office in Tokyo is now operating as an effective trade tool. Other major markets are being considered for similar operations which, if developed, will be one more forward step in the state's renewed emphasis on international marketing.

COPYRIGHT 1985 U.S. Government Printing Office
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group