The National Export Initiative (NEI), upon which the Kentucky Export Initiative is loosely based, is a plan to strengthen the U.S. economy. It focuses on the support that small and medium-sized businesses need in order to begin and increase export activity.

The National Export Initiative will focus particularly on new and one-market exporters, helping them to explore new markets, form strategic relationships, and sell their products and services overseas. With the right assistance, more companies can leverage exporting to grow larger, pay good wages, and continue to innovate as they access new segments of the world’s buyers.

The new Export Promotion Cabinet will oversee the goal to double U.S. exports in the next five years by focusing on the following eight priorities:

• Exports by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
• Federal Export Assistance
• Trade Missions
• Commercial Advocacy
• Increasing Export Credit
• Macroeconomic Rebalancing
• Reducing Barriers to Trade
• Export Promotion of Services

For more information about the National Export Initiative, the Export Promotion Cabinet, and each of these priorities, please click on the links below:

• Executive Summary: Report to the President on the National Export Initiative (PDF)
• Report to the President on the National Export Initiative: The Export Promotion Cabinet’s Plan for Doubling U.S. Exports in Five Years
• NEI Speech by Secretary Gary Locke February 4, 2010