President Bush appoints Governor Perdue to Trade Advisory Committee

Governor appointed to the President's Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations

Washington, D.C. – President George W. Bush this week announced his intention to appoint Governor Sonny Perdue to the President’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN).  This committee advises the President and the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Susan C. Schwab, on matters arising in connection with the development, implementation, and administration of U.S. trade policy.

“We have made great strides in advancing Georgia’s trade position and economy since I took office and I look forward to sharing what I have learned while working with the other members of the committee,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.   “I am honored that the President has asked me to help ensure America’s trade position remains the envy of the world.” 

The ACTPN is the President’s premier private-sector advisory panel on international trade.   Membership includes CEOs of large and small businesses, public policy makers, and leaders of major trade associations.  Governor Perdue will serve a four-year term on the committee. 

The U.S. Congress established the private sector advisory committee system in 1974 to ensure that U.S. trade policy and trade negotiation objectives adequately reflect U.S. commercial and economic interests. Congress expanded and enhanced the role of this system in subsequent trade acts, most recently the Trade Act of 2002.

Since his election in 2002, Governor Perdue has made strengthening Georgia’s trade position and economy a priority.   Recently, the Kauffman Foundation ranked Georgia #3 in the country for entrepreneurial activity, and Site Selection Magazine ranked Georgia #2 for its business environment.  Georgia is also home to the nation’s fastest growing port, the Port of Savannah, which has experienced 25 percent growth in traffic year-to-date.  The port has also seen growing demand for exports which has allowed the port to maintain a healthy import-export balance with 52 percent of total trade dedicated to imports and 48 percent to exports.   

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