EXIM Bank 2016 Annual Conference Update

World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia Chief Operating Officer Dino Ramos was in attendance at the recently concluded EXIM Bank 2016 Annual Conference. The Annual Conference, which started on April 6th, took place at the historical Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington D.C. and included more than 1,100 exporters and representatives of financial institutions, foreign trade partners and government officials. ​Here are a few highlights from the daily sessions: 

April 6
Fred Hochberg, Chairman of the Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of the U.S., addressed 20 of the City/State (C/S) partners as part of the EXIM Conference. Chairman Hochberg advised the Partners that EXIM will re-brand the C/S Partners Program. Effective May 20, 2016, the Program will be called the “Regional Export Promotion Program (REPP).” The new name of the Program will be more reflective of the current and future export assistance and economic development organizations that are Partners in the Program, such as the regional World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia. The new plan will be more in sync with the implantation of the Greater Philadelphia Export Plan which will be launched on April 13, 2016.

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EXIM Bank's Annual Conference presents a unique opportunity for companies from around the world to meet U.S. exporters. Attendees included more than 1,100 exporters and representatives of financial institutions, foreign trade partners, and government officials. At the event, participants also met EXIM Bank staff and obtained detailed information about our export credit products and programs.

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April 7
On April 7, 2016, Dino Ramos attended an informative session titled “How Reforms in Emerging Economies Are Creating Opportunities for American Businesses.” The following officials were on the panel:

• Scott Eisner, President, U.S. Africa Business Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Dianne Farrell, Deputy Assistant secretary of State for Asia, International Trade Administration
• Sergio Garcia Gomez, Section Head, Economic Affairs, Embassy of Mexico in the U.S.
• Thomas Hardy, Director of Public Affairs and Congressional Relations, U.S. Trade and Development Agency
• Rob Quartel, CEO, NTEL-X Co.

The speakers focused on countries that have successfully implemented reforms to drive economic growth and foreign investment including: Mexico, Korea, India, Vietnam, Jordan, Morocco, Cote D'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Senegal.

April 8
The morning of April 8, one of the featured speakers was Jeffrey Zients, Director, National Economic Council and Assistant to President Obama for Economic Policy.  Mr. Zients emphasized the importance of the need for Congress to approve the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement which has been negotiated by the U.S. with 11 other countries in the Pacific Rim.  Countries that are part of the Agreement constitute 40% of global GDP.  Passage of the Agreement will result in significantly reducing import duties in the 11 countries on U.S. manufactured goods and services which will ultimately increase U.S. exports.

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Explore the EXIM Bank 2016 Annual Conference
Agenda, Transcripts, Video 

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