Commerce secretary readies Mideast trade mission

   U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker said Thursday that 21 U.S. companies will join her second trade mission, which will make three stops in the Middle East from March 8-14.
   The trip is specifically focused on export opportunities for U.S. businesses in the infrastructure sector, such as project management and engineering, renewable energy, smart grid and energy efficiency, and environmental technologies.
   The delegation will visit the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
   “The three countries we are visiting on our trade mission to the Gulf region are among the top 50 export markets for the United States,” Pritzker said.
   Since the launch of President Obama’s National Export Initiative in 2010, exports have increased 111 percent to the United Arab Emirates, 65 percent to Saudi Arabia, and 57 percent to Qatar. “Clearly, the Gulf region is a critical area of focus for our nation and its businesses,” she added.
   On May 18-23, Pritzker will lead a trade mission to West Africa with stops in Ghana and Nigeria. “This trip will promote U.S. exports to Africa by helping U.S. companies start or increase their business in West Africa’s energy sector. It will also help the African region develop and manage energy resources and systems, build out power generation and transmission and distribution,” the Commerce Department said.