Governor Ernie Fletcher and His Excellency Andrés Bianchi, Ambassador of the Republic of Chile, along with officials from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, announced that Kentucky has been selected as one of eight states to receive a grant from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s TradeRoots program, the nation's leading trade education program dedicated to raising public awareness of international trade on a local level. Kentucky’s trade education effort, made possible by the grant, has been named the ‘Export Kentucky’ Initiative.

" I am honored to join Ambassador Bianchi today as my administration continues to promote economic development initiatives in the Commonwealth," Governor Fletcher said. "The TradeRoots program will allow us to market Kentucky products around the world and provide more opportunities for our workforce within the small business community. Additionally, this program will foster our strong relationship with the Republic of Chile and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce."

Kentucky was chosen to participate in the TradeRoots program due to its aggressive international trade program and the potential of its small and midsize companies to export. This program is designed to enhance existing export assistance programs in the Commonwealth while raising awareness of free trade agreements and increasing export opportunities for existing businesses.

"We are thrilled to partner with Governor Fletcher and the state of Kentucky to help Kentucky's small and mid-size companies export," stated Leslie M. Schweitzer, Senior Trade Advisor, U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "This is all about more jobs and more dollars for Kentucky."

Exports have proven to be of great economic value to individual companies, as well as the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Kentucky exports rose 21% in 2004 compared to 2003, from $10.7 billion to more than $12.99 billion. Kentucky is first in the nation in the exportation of livestock and livestock products. More than 53,000 direct jobs, 38,000 indirect jobs and 51,000 induced jobs in the Commonwealth are sustained by exports to foreign countries.

Following the official announcement, Governor Fletcher hosted an "Export Kentucky" kickoff luncheon at the Marriott Griffin Gate Resort in Lexington on March 15, organized by the Kentucky World Trade Center. Ambassador Bianchi addressed the group regarding business opportunities in Chile and the opportunities created for Kentucky companies by current trade agreements.

Export Kentucky, in conjunction with trade partners such as the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development International Trade Division, the Kentucky World Trade Center, the Department of Commerce and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, have been hosting seminars across the state to cover topics such as international banking, international law, compliance, freight forwarding, certificates of origin, opportunities provided by U.S. free trade agreements, cultural training and more.