Strategic partnership agreement aims to provide opportunities and resources for AAPI-owned business community
The Asian American Chamber of Commerce (AACC) and the Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) have signed a strategic partnership agreement to help the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-owned business community.
Signed in Washington on April 6, the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) also aims to promote the competitiveness of US industry, improve the global business environment, and provide opportunities and resources for AAPI-owned business community, according to a press release.
“We look forward to working with the Asian American Chamber of Commerce as a strategic partner to increase US trade & investment and help US companies compete in the global marketplace,” said US Commercial Service Global Diversity Export Initiative Director, Terri Batch.
“The signing of this MOA provides opportunities for future collaboration to ensure minority- and women-owned companies can grow stronger here at home and also compete abroad.
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“Through this strategic partnership, the AANHPI business community will have greater awareness of resources and existing and emerging export opportunities around the world,” Batch added.
“We are excited for this incredible opportunity to launch a meaningful partnership with the US Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration,” said Cindy Shao, President of AACC.
“We stand ready to collaborate with ITA. This partnership will enable a stronger platform for us to support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) business community in the areas of US trade and foreign investment.”
Upon signing the MOA, the AACC and the US Commercial Service’s network of worldwide offices will collaborate on marketing, educational programs and events leveraging both entities’ expertise to help make US businesses—and particularly AAPI-owned firms—more export savvy.
Joint activities will include building awareness through outreach and participation at trade shows, export seminars, and trade education events.
The partnership provides a collaborative framework that supports ITA’s goal of expanding US exports by increasing AAPI-owned companies awareness of the benefits of exporting and of the public and private sector resources available to pursue export markets.
The AACC is among several of ITA’s Strategic Partners who have connected more than 1,500 companies to federal export assistance.
AACC encourages, facilitates, and supports the economic growth and sustainability of the greater Washington DC area community by building bridges and serving as a resource for the AAPI business community, the release said.