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Each May, World Trade Month provides an opportunity for the Inland Empire to focus on the impact that World Trade has on our businesses, communities and our economy. Today 40% of all of the goods imported into the United States come in through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
The goods movement infrastructure that has been developed to move and distribute goods is one of the best in the nation combining the ports, with air cargo through strategic airports like Los Angeles International, Ontario International, March, San Bernardino International and Southern California Logistics Airports; combined with both a well developed trucking and rail infrastructure. We are part of a “World Class Supply Chain” that serves the World.
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Our challenge however is that imports still far exceed exports. Exports are so critical to maintaining a balance in trade and building the economic viability of U.S. companies. Today there is great opportunity for Inland Empire businesses to build export trade:
• We have “World Class trade infrastructure”
• The U. S. dollar has moved to a level that makes the price of our goods and services competitive in most foreign markets.
And although exports have traditionally been focused on manufactured goods an expanding portion of trade is through professional services, consulting, and intellectual property. The opportunity is greatest for small and medium sized businesses but they don’t normally consider exporting as an option. We need to expand their awareness of export trade as an option. The future of expanding in exports in the Inland Empire will come from small to mid-sized businesses.
Also, with the decline in the U.S. Dollar the Inland Empire has become an inexpensive destination for foreign travelers and a good value for foreign investors. World Trade Month is a great time for all of us in the Inland Empire to build awareness of trade opportunities and to put into place efforts that will assist our business in taking advantage of the opportunities in World Trade.
I hope that you can take advantage of the collaboration between various private and public sector groups that produced this 2nd Annual World Trade Month. I encourage you to attend as many events as you can.
Larry Sharp
President, CEO - Arrowhead Credit Union
Chairman, 2008 World Trade Month
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