Alabama Leaders Endorse U.S.-Korea Trade Agreement

U.S. Chamber Renews Call on Congress to Approve Measure

MONTGOMERY, AL—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its affiliate TradeRoots and U.S.-Korea Business Council today welcomed the endorsement of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by Alabama Governor Bob Riley and U.S. Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL-7), and renewed its call on Congress to vote on the agreement when it reconvenes in September.

"This agreement is important to Alabama's economic growth and to all U.S. workers, farmers, and businesses," said Leslie Schweitzer, the U.S. Chamber's senior trade advisor. "These endorsements are important in helping push for congressional approval of the agreement."

The U.S. Chamber-sponsored event was held yesterday in partnership with the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce. At the event, Korean Ambassador Lee Tae-sik addressed Montgomery-area business leaders and local officials, highlighting the benefits of open trade to the state. According to the U.S. Chamber, the U.S.-Korea FTA is the most commercially significant U.S. trade deal in fifteen years. Both Governor Riley and Congressman Davis pledged their support for the agreement and urged Congress to act on the measure.

Alabama Trade Fact: 1n 2007 Alabama producers exported over $544 million to Korea, making it Alabama's seventh-largest export market.

The Chamber's TradeRoots program and its U.S.-Korea Business Council have been building support as part of a nation wide grassroots program to highlight the important benefits of the U.S.-Korea FTA to the American economy.

The U.S.-Korea Business Council is the leading U.S. business organization promoting the bilateral relationship between the United States and South Korea.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

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