Washington, DC – April 13, 2016 – A leading group of business associations and other organizations announced today that the fifth annual “Imports Work Week” will take place on May 9-13, 2016. Imports Work Week is an effort to draw attention to the essential role that imports play in the U.S. and global economy.
This year’s Imports Work Week takes places in the midst of Congressional debate on a series of trade measures, including the recently concluded Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and ongoing negotiations for trade agreements covering transatlantic commerce, services, and environmental goods. During the week, numerous associations and think tanks are expected to take part by publishing commentaries and blog postings, along with other grassroots and social media activities.
As Roberto Azevêdo, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has said: “Imports are a good indicator of economic health — they are a sign both of consumer demand and industrial activity. For many American companies, imports provide essential component parts for their goods, often at prices which help them to remain competitive. By supporting companies to grow and export in this way, imports are a critical component of any vibrant economy.”
A study unveiled during Imports Work Week in 2013 found that 16 million U.S. jobs depend on imports. A recent study by HSBC shows that imports save the average U.S. family $13,600 a year. A 2013 study also found that the U.S. value-added for imported apparel equals about 70 percent.
More information about Imports Work Week can be found at www.importswork.com or through Twitter at @importswork.
The Coordinating Committee for Imports Work Week includes the following:
American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA)
American Association of Exporters and Importers (AAEI)
Coalition for GSP
Consuming Industries Trade Action Coalition (CITAC)
Emergency Committee for American Trade (ECAT)
Fashion Accessories Shippers Association (FASA)
Footwear Distributor and Retailers of America (FDRA)
Gemini Shippers Group
International Wood Products Association (IWPA)
National Association of Foreign-Trade Zones (NAFTZ)
National Fisheries Institute
National Retail Federation (NRF)
Outdoor Industry Association (OIA)
Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA)
Toy Industry Association (TIA)
Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Apparel Coalition
Travel Goods Association (TGA)
U.S. Fashion Industry Association (USFIA)
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Council for International Business (USCIB)
Washington Council on International Trade (WCIT)
