Washington DC. and Monterey CA – The National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC) and the California Council on International Trade (CCIT) today announced a new cooperative agreement between the two organizations that will enable both groups to better advance the cause of an open rules-based trading system. The agreement, announced at CCIT’s 5th annual Monterey Congressional Forum on Trade Policy, lays out a framework for mutual cooperation on trade issues, joint events, and joint membership.
“CCIT is one of California’s leading voices in support of a free and open international trade policy. Given California’s importance to the U.S. and world economies, and the similar goals our organizations share, we believe this is a perfect partnership,” said Bill Reinsch, president, NFTC.
“California is by far this country’s top exporting state with an economy larger than all but four nations in the world. This partnership will enable CCIT to be an even stronger advocate of California’s critical pro-trade agenda, while offering our members a strong voice in the nation’s capital,” said CCIT president Joseph W. Harrison.
Specifically, the agreement includes:
1. The NFTC will serve as the Washington office for CCIT, providing advocacy with California Members of Congress and other trade officials. In turn, CCIT will serve as the western partner for NFTC.
2. The two organizations will co-sponsor events on a selective basis.
3. CCIT will provide a west coast presence for NFTC by organizing selected NFTC events in California, especially in the areas of international taxation and international human resources issues. CCIT will also organize California events for NFTC-umbrella organizations such as USA Engage and the US-South Africa Business Council.
4. The two organizations will develop ways to jointly distribute each other’s publications and announcements.
5. NFTC and CCIT will undertake a joint membership development program to include the creation of affiliate memberships at reduced rates.
The National Foreign Trade Council is a leading business organization advocating a rules-based world economy. Founded in 1914 by a group of American companies that supported an open world trading system, the NFTC now serves 400 member companies through its offices in Washington and New York.
CCIT is a 44 year-old trade association, the only statewide organization dedicated to advocating sound U.S. trade policy to open overseas markets for the benefit of California producers of goods and services that need those markets to fuel California’s economic growth
The award was originally established in 1937 by the Dollar Family of San Francisco in memory of Captain Robert Dollar, pioneer in American shipping and world trade and a charter member of the National Foreign Trade Council.
