On behalf of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Office of Environmental Technologies Exports (ETE), I am pleased to present you with the first-ever National Environmental Exporters Resource Directory. The directory profiles many of the most prominent national and state-based organizations working with environmental firms.
The export promotion of environmental technologies is receiving top priority at the Department of Commerce and has been designated a key initiative under the Clinton Administration's National Environmental Technology Strategy. With the global market for environmental technologies at $450 billion and one of the fastest growing markets worldwide, the Clinton Administration is working in public-private partnership to ensure that U.S. environmental firms can effectively compete for and win these overseas opportunities.
U.S. Exports are Growing
The importance of this effort cannot be overstated. Facing low and flat growth rates domestically, the environmental industry must meet the export challenge. Many firms are doing just that. Exports of U.S. environmental technologies have increased 67 percent between 1993 and 1996, and one dollar of every twelve in this sector's earnings came from revenues generated outside the United States in 1996. But there is more to do, particularly working with the small and medium-sized enterprises that dominate this industry but which seldom have the resources and international experience needed to enter overseas markets.
A Successful Partnership
ETE’s States Environmental Exports Initiative, developed with several leading states, is designed to build closer partnerships with national associations and state-based organizations. Through this partnership, we can collectively strengthen outreach to small and medium-sized environmental firms and ensure that they have the support they need to enter international markets when they are ready.
Our efforts are producing valuable results. In May 1997, state trade offices and state-based environmental industry organizations formed the Environmental Industry Coalition, which is now providing leadership and helping coordinate state efforts. This Directory, developed by the Environmental Business Association of New York State, Inc., one or our state partners, is being released on the eve of the Second States Environmental Exports Forum, organized under a Memorandum of Understanding between ETE and the EIC. The Second Forum follows two active years under our partnership and should set the stage for more success ahead.
Please contact my office directly if we can be of assistance in your efforts to export environmental technologies. You can reach us at 202-482-5225. Thank you.
Anne L. Alonzo
Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Environmental Technologies Exports
