World Trade Week - focus of, dates and locations of activities

Business America, May 14, 1984 by William Scouton

This year's expected trade deficit of $110 billion is adding urgency to 1984 World Trade Week efforts to increase U.S. participation in export markets.

The huge trade deficit will be cited at hundreds of programs throughout the nation during and around World Trade Week, May 20-26, as a warning to U.S. business to pay more attention to exporting. (See U.S. Trade fFactsheet on page 9.)

The international trade community of Cleveland, for example, chose ''Securing the Competitive Edge in Today's Turbulent Economy'' as the theme of the 39th Cleveland World Trade Conference May 31.

In a similar vein, Charles F. McKay, chairman of the Florida District Export Council, said, ''With international trade down 27 percent this year from Miami ports, it is all the more important to understand current economic and political realities in Latin America.'' He announced that a Latin American business forum will be a major feature of the Florida Governor's World Trade Conference in Miami May 14 and 15.

President Reagan noted fierce international competition in his World Trade Week proclamation. ''Few industries are unaffected by the pressure of foreign goods and services, whether competing for sales at home or abroad,'' (For text of proclamation, see inside front cover.)

Secretary of Commerce Malcolm Baldrige emphasized in a World Trade Week message that the United States must broaden its export efforts. He pointed out that only 1,000 firms, less than one percent of all U.S. manufacturers, are estimated to account for more than 60 percent of our exports of manufactured goods. Some 30,000 manufacturers sell abroad, but an estimated 18,000 additional firms could be doing so, he said.

Lionel H. Olmer, UnderSecretary of Commerce for International Trade, cited the huge U.S. trade deficit. ''To reverse this trend, our business community must devote even greater attention and effort to developing and expanding foreign markets,'' Olmer said. ''Within the federal government,'' he added, ''the Department of Commerce stands ready to provide enhanced assistance and support for U.S. exporters.''

Reagan, Baldrige and Olmer also emphasized the importance of exporting to the U.S. economy. Olmer noted, ''The significance of a competitive export sector is borne out by the fact that $1 billion worth of exports results in the creation of 25,000 new jobs here at home.'' The slogan for this year's World Trade Week observance is ''U.S. Exports Means Jobs,'' the same last year.

Like Miami, many cities are focusing on regional export markets in their World Trade Week activities. Long Beach, Calif., will hear about opportunities in the Pacific Rim; San Francisco, about Europe; Kansas City, Mo., about Portugal; New Jersey, about Canada; and Dallas, Tex., about Australia.

Several conferences this year are geared toward bringing manufacturers into contact with exports service firms. In Philadelphia, an Export Matchmaking Conference will give manufacturers the opportunity to exhibit their products and to talk with representatives of export management companies and export trading companies about their exportability. Similar conferences are scheduled in Detroit, Cincinnati, and other cities. Augusta, Maine, will hear a speech on ''How the Export Trading Company Act Affects Maine Exporters.''

An increasing number of state governors are taking part in World Trade Week activities, reflecting expanded export development activities at the state level. Maryland Governor Harry Hughes, for example, will discuss his state's export development policy as part of a World Trade Week program in Baltimore. Several governors will present awards to outstanding local exporters.

Secretary of Commerce Malcolm Baldrige heads a list of Commerce Department speakers at World Trade Week observances. He will keynote the Florida Governor's World Trade Conference May 14. The same day, he will address a World Trade Week dinner in Stamford, conn. Baldrige will speak to the London, England, Chamber of Commerce May 21 and will address the 64th Annual Banquet of the Hampton Roads, Va., Maritime Association May 30.

Lionel H. Olmer, Under Secretary for International Trade, will be in Israel during most of World Trade Week. He will speak at the Jerusalem Economic Conference May 21 on ''U.S.-Israel: Toward Free Trade.''

A rundown of World Trade Week activities follows:

A seminar on ''How to Sell Your Products Overseas'' will be held in Boston, Massachusetts, May 22. William T. Archey, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Trade Administration, will speak at a luncheon, and Governor Michael Dukakis is on the program.

Maine Governor Joseph Brennan will open a World Trade Day program in Augusta May 21. Donald Zarien, a Washington, D.C. consultant, will discuss ''How the Export Trading Company Acts Affects Maine Exporters.''

New Hampshire Governor John Sununu will speak at a World Trade banquet in Manchester May 22.

Connecticut's World Trade Week will be held ahead of the national observance during the third week in May. About 500 persons are expected to attend a dinner in Stamford May 14 at which Secretary of Commerce Malcolm Baldrige will speak. Governor William O'Neill will present the annual Governor's Award to the Exporting Company of the Year.