Each year the United States exports 1.3 billion dollars worth of goods to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. Thus, you are the key players in a key market for the United States with key partners.

Strengthening the U.S. economy and creating jobs is a top priority for President Obama. With the launch of the President’s National Export Initiative in early 2010, all agencies with a role in U.S. international trade, including the Department of State, were asked to play a more active role in export promotion. And given the state of the U.S. economy, no issue is more important today.