Willowbrook, IL – U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) this week toured suburban businesses, including Cabot Microelectronics in Aurora and Spectrum Technologies in Plainfield, to examine new exporting opportunities created by the recently approved Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.  Biggert capped her trade-focused week with a roundtable discussion attended by more than twenty representatives of local technology-based businesses.  Held at the Molex Incorporated headquarters in Lisle, the event also was attended by officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the technology industry’s leading trade association, TechAmerica.

            “Illinois ranks sixth in the nation in terms of total exports, and businesses in our community are especially well-positioned to benefit from new overseas markets,” said Biggert, whose suburban district is home to approximately 64,000 people employed through exports.  “One of the most valuable ways to spend my time is listening to local business leaders about how the policies in Washington are impacting the economic climate here at home.  This week’s trade tours reaffirmed that exports are one of the fundamental keys to reinvigorating economic growth and putting people back to work.” 

             “We applaud the work that Judy Biggert has done on the new Free Trade Agreements,” Martin P. Slark, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Molex Incorporated said.  “Free Trade agreements with fast growing countries are critical for helping technology companies like Molex increase exports, which in turn, will help increase U.S. employment.  Congresswoman Biggert clearly understands that helping U.S. companies succeed by removing barriers to free trade will ultimately protect America’s economic growth and prosperity. We need more practical leadership like this in Washington.”

            “Advanced Diamond Technologies supports the upcoming free trade agreements (especially with South Korea), because they will enhance our ability to deploy the benefits of diamond nanotechnology across the world,” said John Yerger, CEO of Advanced Diamond Technologies in Romeoville.  “Reducing trade barriers will improve our competitive position and speed product adoption.  Like many U.S. companies, we have industry-leading products and technologies, and we support an open business environment that allows the best products and companies to grow."

            “I want to thank Congresswoman Biggert for her support for the trade deals and for bringing local technology companies together for an important discussion about jobs, government regulations and exports,” said Ed Longanecker, Executive Director, Regional Vice President of TechAmerica.  “The new agreements will benefit the high-tech industry by removing tariffs on many high tech products, enabling American companies to be more competitive and create thousands of jobs.”     

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