Welcome                                                    
Wayne A. G. James, Esquire, Trustee, VISED; local historian, renowned international fashion designer, [houte couture], is involved with the preservation of the U. S. Virgin Islands rich historic and cultural heritage” , St. Croix official/representative

Public/Private Partnership to Expand International Trade
Ingrid Mitchem, Director of Industry Consultations Program, U.S. Department of Commerce

Steve Lamar, American Apparel and Footwear Association

The United States government has a unique relationship with the U.S. private sector in establishing international trade goals and objectives.  This public/private partnership ensures that U.S. officials are aware of and strive to achieve U.S. industry objectives in trade negotiations.

The Commercial Service
Maritza Ramos, U.S. Foreign Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce

The Commercial Service is charged with hands-on export promotion.  It is through the Commercial Service network that most U.S. businesses take advantage of export promotion services.

Export Promotion
District Export Councils
-Many opportunities for private sector input into the process   
  (e.g. customer surveys and focus groups)
-Why it is important to solicit private sector views and cooperation

The Commercial Service/Advocacy Center
Joseph Enright, Deputy Director, The Advocacy Center
U.S. Department of Commerce

Import Administration
Jonathan Lyons, Senior Policy Analyst, Import Administration, U. S. Department of Commerce

Import Administration enforces laws and agreements to protect U.S. businesses from unfair competition within the U.S. resulting from unfair pricing by foreign companies and unfair subsidies to foreign companies by their governments

Lunch
Keynote: Manuel Antonio Rosales, Assistant Administrator,
Office of International Trade, U.S. Small Business Administration

Trade Promotion Policy
2:00 - 2:45p.m.RJ Donovan, Director of Policy Coordination, Trade Promotion and Policy Coordination Office, U.S. Department of Commerce

There are many USG agencies involved in trade policy-making, implementation, and export promotion.  The inter-agency process helps coordinate the wide range of interests represented by these agencies.

-Agencies involved in trade and investment promotion
-Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee=s Role
-The National Export Strategy

Trade Compliance
Pamela Woods, Director, Monitoring and Information
Trade Compliance Center, U.S. Department of Commerce

The Trade Compliance Center is responsible for ensuring that U.S. industry and workers receive all the benefits expected as a result of the trade agreements signed by the Unites States and its trading partners.

Coffee Break

Small Business Administration                     
Manuel Antonio Rosales, Assistant Administrator, Office of International Trade, U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration provides financial, technical and management assistance to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses.  With a portfolio of business loans, loan guarantees and disaster loans worth more than $45 billion, in addition to a ventre capital portfolio of $13 billion, SBA is the nation=s largest single financial backer of small businesses.

Homeland Security
To be identified,

Wrap-Up/Closing
John Andersen, Director, Officeof Latin America and the Caribbean, U.S. Department of Commerce
Frank Schulterbrandt, Esq., CEO-V.I. Economic Development Authority
Hortense Sackey Milligan-Rowe, Executive Director, VISED, INC., St. Croix officials/representatives