Top News
Commerce’s BEA Recognized by OPM for Organizational Excellence
Washington (Dec. 14)—The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) received two Performance America Consortium Certificates of Excellence for setting the benchmark high on 12 of the 17 dimensions of organizational climate measured in the Organizational Assessment Survey conducted by the Office of Personnel Management in 2006. BEA also set the benchmark high on the OPM Employee Engagement Index. (More)
Secretary Gutierrez Statement on President Bush Signing the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement
Washington (Dec. 14)—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez issued the following statement regarding President Bush’s signing of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement. “President Bush’s signing of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion agreement marks an historic step in strengthening America’s friendship with an ally and opening a new market to U.S. exports.President Bush’s vision and leadership is keeping America’s economy vibrant, while growing our economic relationships with important neighbors. (More) (Fact Sheet)
2007: A Top-Ten Warm Year for U.S. and Globe
Washington (Dec. 13)—According to preliminary data from NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center, this year will likely be the eighth-warmest on record for the U.S. and the fifth-warmest for the globe. The year 2007 is on pace to become one of the 10 warmest years for the contiguous U.S., since national records began in 1895. Preliminary data will be updated in early January to reflect the final three weeks of December and is not considered final until a full analysis is complete next spring. (More)
Commerce’s NIST Builds Encasement to Protect “America’s Birth Certificate”
Gaithersburg, Md. (Dec. 12)—Encasement built by the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will protect the first world map to label the lands of the New World as ‘America’ when the Exploring the Early Americas exhibition opens Dec. 13, 2007, at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. The 40-square-foot, state-of-the-art display case is the new home for the 1507 Waldseemüller map, often called “America’s birth certificate.” (More)
Gutierrez Urges China for Greater Market Access for U.S. Brands Like Harley-Davidson
Beijing (Dec. 12)—Incoming Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming joined U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez, EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, U.S. Ambassador to China Clark T. Randt and Chairman of the Export-Import Bank James Lambright in trying out a Harley-Davidson motorcycle during a break in meetings of the Strategic Economic Dialogue. The United States is seeking to expand access for U.S.-made motorcycles into the Chinese market.
Commerce’s NTIA Announces More Than 100 Retailers Certified for Digital Television Transition
Washington (Dec. 11)—The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that eight of the largest consumer electronics retailers—Best Buy, Circuit City, Kmart, RadioShack, Sam’s Club, Sears, Target, Wal-Mart—have been certified to participate in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program along with more than 100 other retailers, representing more than 14,000 stores throughout the nation. (More)
Gutierrez Signs U.S.-China Tourism Agreement to Boost Visits to U.S.
Beijing (Dec. 11)—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will bring more customers to the U.S. tourism industry by facilitating group leisure travel from China to the United States and permit United States destinations to market themselves in China. The agreement between the United States and China was announced at the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) and is expected to be implemented in the spring of 2008. (Release) (JCCT Outcomes Fact Sheet)
Gutierrez Witnesses Agreements to Expand U.S. Exports to China and Joins Celebration of Approval of Wal-Mart’s 100th Store in China
Beijing (Dec. 10)—Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez witnessed the signing of two commercial agreements at a ceremony in Beijing, China. Gutierrez also celebrated the Chinese approval of the 100th Wal-Mart China store and the grand opening of a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Loudi, Hunan Province, with China’s Vice Minister of Commerce Jiang Zengwei and Wal-Mart China CEO Ed Chan. Wal-Mart sales of U.S. products in China have doubled over the last two years. (More)
Gutierrez and Schwab Travel to China for JCCT and Trade Talks
Washington (Dec. 7)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab will travel to Beijing, China next week for the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) to be held Dec.11. The JCCT, a high-level government-to-government dialogue, seeks to open market opportunities and resolve trade disputes. U.S. Department of Agriculture officials will also participate in the JCCT. Prior to the JCCT on Monday Dec. 10 there will be a conference on innovation as well as various public events and bilateral meetings. (More)
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Jobs Growth Praised by Commerce Secretary Gutierrez
Washington (Dec. 7)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez issued the following statement on the November Employment Report that showed that our unemployment rate remained low at 4.7 percent and the economy created 94,000 new jobs during its 51st straight month of job growth.“GDP growth was 4.9 percent and productivity (nonfarm business sector) was up 6.3 percent in the third quarter of 2007─the highest gain for both indicators in four years.” (More) (Fact Sheet)