SMITHFIELD, RI -- U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today joined with local business leaders and officials at Bryant University to discuss efforts to sell more Rhode Island-made goods and services abroad and help Rhode Island businesses compete globally.

The Rhode Island Export Assistance Center and the World Trade Center Rhode Island, both located at Bryant University’s Chafee Center for International Business, provide international trade assistance to local companies for both import and export initiatives.

“We have so many great companies here in Rhode Island, and I want to highlight some of the opportunities to help expand their customer base.  The folks at Bryant do a great job of educating local companies about opportunities overseas and helping connect Rhode Island businesses with new customers abroad,” said Reed.

“As we heard from the Rhode Island companies here today, exports provide real opportunities for new business and job growth,” said Ray Fogarty, Director of Bryant University's Chafee Center for International Business. “Having support from Senator Reed and the Rhode Island delegation in Washington is critical to our continued ability to help companies find these opportunities and to guide them through the process of exporting.”
  
Bryant is seeking to develop a new Rhode Island Export Development Program (RIEDP) that will enhance the existing job creation efforts of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation and other organizations in Rhode Island and increase business opportunities for Rhode Island manufacturing and service companies that seek to expand their marketing, development, or distribution efforts internationally.

Rhode Island exported $177.4 million worth of goods and services in November 2010, an increase of 36% when compared to a year earlier, according to a report by Providence Business News, earning 11th place in a national ranking for export growth.

President Obama has set the goal of doubling exports and supporting several million new jobs over five years through the National Export Initiative. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates the value of exports per job increased to $175,000 in 2009.  With Rhode Island total exports approaching $2 billion per year, doubling exports would create 11,500 new jobs in the state.

Local business leaders who have benefitted from working with the Chafee Center participated in the roundtable discussion, including officials from: Alex and Ani (Cranston); Crisloid Inc. (Providence); Dynamic Converting Systems/American Tool (Lincoln); Far Sounder (Warwick); Global Bridge International (Providence); Pilgrim Screw (Providence); and Sandstrom Carbide (Warwick).