International Trade Administration recently signed an agreement with the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development to facilitate exports and foreign direct investment.
The agreement was signed May 3 by Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Maria Lago and NCAIED President and CEO Chris James, according to a news release. The agreement sets up a collaboration intended to facilitate growth of exports and foreign direct investment "across the whole of Indian Country."
"ITA is committed to ensuring that the benefits of exporting are distributed equitably with businesses across the country, and most especially within historically underrepresented communities," Lago said in the news release. "This agreement between ITA and NCAEID is designed to assist Tribal Nations and Native businesses grow by exporting to international markets, encouraging [foreign direct investment] into Indian Country, and ensuring intellectual property protection for Native artists and businesses who sell their products all over the world."
In his own comments, James emphasized the increasing importance of international markets in Indian Country and expressed his gratitude for the collaboration between his organization and ITA, according to the news release.
"The international market is increasingly important for Indian Country," James said in the news release. "The partnership with ITA will help facilitate new and bigger opportunities for exports from and foreign direct investment in tribal communities. We thank Under Secretary Lago and the International Trade Administration for their commitment to equitable trade and investment – especially in Indian Country."
NCAIED is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that, for more than half a century, has assisted and advocated for American Indian Tribes and Tribal peoples in business and economic development, the release reported. NCAIED is the largest national Indian specific business organization.
ITA is a key resource for American companies competing globally, providing assistance to U.S. exporters and operating in numerous locations and markets worldwide, the release reported.
