Sen. Ted W. Lieu to kickoff small, medium businesses workshop promoting trade, jobs

Free pro-job creation event begins at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, July 19
REDONDO BEACH – 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 and small business, has proposed reestablishing 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 in support of the first-ever International ‘Trade Connect’ workshop sponsored by the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.  “With that goal in mind, two of my proposed laws would help improve California’s economy and approach to job training.”

The bills and their goals are:
• Senate Bill 1401: This would require the state to develop an Industry Sector Initiative to serve as the cornerstone of the state’s workforce investment plan.
• Senate Bill 1402: Identified and labeled as a “job creator” by the California Chamber of Commerce, this measure would extend the California Community College’s Economic and Workforce Development Program to make it better able to respond to changing economic conditions.

Together, the package of bills awaiting final Assembly approval in August would help start transforming California government to focus on the state’s comparative advantages and is consistent with his longtime advocacy of more aggressive state efforts to create jobs, including the return of a unified state trade and commerce agency.

Joining Lieu Thursday 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.

     • WHO: Business owners and representatives 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: 1:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. Thursday, July 19, 2012. 
     • WHERE: Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach, 90278.
     • WHY: To create local jobs by helping local businesses improve exports. 
     • HOW: Please RSVP via email at www.RedondoChamber.org/events or contact Marna@redondoChamber.org.

For information on the event, contact Jean Coronel of the Port of Los Angeles at jcoronel@portla.org.

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