Sen. Ted W. Lieu to address small, medium businesses at workshop promoting trade, jobs
Free pro-job creation event begins at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27
WILMINGTON – Small and medium-sized businesses interested in creating jobs and improving competitiveness through expanded overseas trade can learn how during a free ‘Trade Connect’ workshop next Thursday where Sen. Ted W. Lieu will be the kickoff speaker.
Lieu, D-Torrance, a longtime supporter of expanded trade through California ports , has a pending bill that would reestablish a cabinet-level agency to focus solely on key economic issues, including increased sales of California-made goods overseas.
“In order for California to remain competitive in a global economy, the state must have a plan to create jobs and promote California’s competitive advantages,” Lieu, chair of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee, said about Senate Bill 892, a priority measure for 2012. “A cabinet-level clearing house for economic coordination, creation, competitiveness and job growth is what’s missing from California’s economic recovery.”
For example, a company in Memphis may need to spend more than $2,000 to move a truckload to California ports, Lieu said. But it would cost a local company only a few hundred dollars to move the same goods.
“This gives local companies a tremendous competitive advantage,” Lieu said. “Our ships are only partially full when they sail from Southern California, so shipping rates for exports are much less than import rates. The winner: California companies – and California workers.”
Joining Lieu Thursday, Oct. 27, will be key international trade experts, including representatives from the Port of Los Angeles, the U.S. Department of Commerce; the U.S. Small Business Administration; Los Angeles World Airports; and the Center for International Development. Topics include how to find overseas customers; ways to finance and insure business; how to educate staff; and sea and air cargo services.
Sponsors include the Port of Los Angeles, City Council District 15; and the Wilmington, San Pedro, Harbor City/Harbor Gateway and Carson chambers of commerce.
• WHO: Businesses are invited to meet trade experts at ‘Trade Connect’ a workshop where Sen. Ted W. Lieu will be the kickoff speaker
• WHAT: A free workshop on how to expand business into international markets.
• WHEN: 2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011. A free networking reception follows.
• WHERE: Los Angeles Harbor College Technology Building, 110 Smart Classroom, 1111 Figueroa Place, Wilmington. Free parking in Lot 6.
• WHY: To create local jobs by helping local businesses improve exports.
• HOW: Please RSVP via email at jcoronel@portla.org or info@wilmington-chamber.com with Trade Connect in the subject line.
For information on the event, contact Jean Coronel of the Port of Los Angeles at (310) 732-7765; or Dan Hoffman of the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce (310) 834-8586.
For more, including links to the agenda and a flier on the event, visit Lieu’s Web site at the address below.
Ted W. Lieu represents nearly 1 million residents of Senate District 28, which includes the cities of Carson, El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Lomita, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance, as well as portions of Long Beach, Los Angeles and San Pedro. For more, visit www.senate.ca.gov/lieu
