Ruppersberger Discusses Maryland Job Creation Through Global Trade at Port of Baltimore

Press Release

Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), Congressman John Sarbanes and U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk today toured the Port of Baltimore and discussed the need to increase exports to create jobs in Maryland. The Port of Baltimore is one of the biggest economic engines in Maryland, supporting 120,000 jobs and generating $3.6 billion in wages and salaries for Marylanders every year.

"Boosting international trade is a great way to help reenergize the U.S. economy and spur job growth here in Maryland," said Congressman Ruppersberger, whose district includes the Port of Baltimore. "We need to help small and medium businesses, which create the vast majority of new jobs. We must open new markets for American products. If you already export, we want to get you into new markets. If you don't currently export, we want to educate you on the process so you can start."

The event comes as the National Export Initiative -- a plan to create 2 million jobs nationwide by doubling U.S. exports to the world over the next five years -- gets underway. Congressman Ruppersberger and Ambassador Kirk also met with Maryland business leaders and workers to discuss how trade affects our companies and jobs.

Maryland exports to Asia alone accounted for $1.9 billion in 2009. In 2009, Maryland was the 28th largest state exporter of goods, totaling $9.2 billion, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. In 2008, the Baltimore-Towson metropolitan area was responsible for 63 percent of Maryland's total goods.

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