On Wednesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey hosted the Governor’s Trade Excellence Awards Ceremony. During the event, Governor Ivey signed a proclamation proclaiming May as World Trade Month. This year’s ceremony recognized six of Alabama’s top international trade exporters and finest trade companies, as well as the 2023 Trade Advocate of the Year.
“I recognized @TuskegeeUniv and six Alabama companies for their trade success in the global market,” Gov. Ivey said on Twitter. “Their economic activities ranged from automotive manufacturing to food production.”
The six exporters honored in the Governor’s Trade Excellence Awards were:
· Bud’s Best Cookies
· Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama
“Their work has sparked record-breaking economic growth across the state,” Ivey stated.
“Thanks to tremendous levels of innovation, craftsmanship, and ingenuity, Alabama’s talented workers turn out products that are in demand around the world,” Governor Ivey said. “These products really elevate the ‘Made in Alabama’ brand and transmit the message internationally that top-quality goods come from our state.”
Governor Ivey presented Tuskegee University with a 2023 Governor’s Trade Excellence Award for extraordinary results in international initiatives that include partnerships with dozens of overseas universities and hosting students from more than 20 countries in recent years.
Economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones told Alabama Today, “Alabama has a plethora of international trade partners that exemplify the Made in Alabama brand. The Governor’s Trade Excellence Awards gives outstanding organizations well-deserved recognition for their contributions to our state’s success in global markets. Considering the myriad of global disruption that has dominated worldwide news in recent years, it is impressive that Alabama maintained $25.5 billion in exports in 2023. Other countries have demonstrated a continued need for made-in-Alabama goods, especially in the industries of transportation, aerospace, chemicals, minerals, and paper products.”
Greg Canfield is the Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce.
“Exporting is a driving force in Alabama’s economy, providing benefits here at home that include new jobs and investments,” Sec. Canfield said. “The vision of our companies to be international leaders in their respective fields is most impressive, and we look forward to seeing their continued success in overseas markets.”
Christina Stimpson is the Director of Commerce’s Office of International Trade.
“We are proud to have worked with all the companies represented today and to have assisted them in identifying international opportunities,” Stimpson said. “The communities where they are located are fortunate to have them because, through exporting, they’re diversifying the economy, growing their production, and creating and sustaining jobs.”
Alabama exports surged to a record $25.5 billion in 2022.
The Department of Commerce’s Office of International Trade offers resources to assist Alabama companies enter new overseas markets. The Office uses its frequent trade and business development missions, training, foreign-market information, and international contacts to further Alabama companies’ international presence.
“Economic development is a continuous process of cultivating relationships, investing in human capital, and working with communities to find their hidden talent within,” Jones explained. “Governor Ivey, the Alabama Department of Commerce, and leaders within the public and private sector work every day to make Alabama a place where a myriad of industries can grow and prosper.”
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