Rep. Pashinski discusses importance of international trade at Northeastern Pa. summit

Pennsylvania state Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski (D-Luzerne) highlighted the importance of international trade and its benefits to businesses in northeastern Pennsylvania during a keynote address at the Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance’s (NEPA) summit.

NEPA’s 2018 Bringing the World to Northeastern Pennsylvania summit was held on Sept. 21 in Wilkes-Barre.

“Pennsylvania has such a unique history when it comes to natural resources, manufacturing and goods and services,” Pashinski said. “With the sixth largest gross domestic product output in the United States, it’s vital that we continue to pursue international trade to strengthen our state’s economy and get greater exposure for the Pennsylvania products we’re all proud of.”

The Bringing the World to Northeastern Pennsylvania initiative provided Northeastern Pennsylvania businesses the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Pennsylvania’s authorized trade representatives from various countries. Authorized trade representatives are professional business consultants, located in their respective markets, who are contracted by the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development’s Office of International Business Development to help Pennsylvania businesses export.

In his speech, Rep. Pashinski highlighted several local businesses already engaged in international trade, including A. Rifkin Co., Scent-Sations Inc., Ethosgen LLC and InterMetro, all of Wilkes-Barre, as well as Cornell Cooksons of Mountain Top.

“Northeast Pennsylvania has had over $31 million in sales to international markets, which has led to the creation or retention of over 125 jobs,” Rep. Pashinski said. “It was a tremendous honor to speak at today’s summit and highlight the importance of strengthening trade with our international partners.”

NEPA’s seven-county service area includes Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne. Companies had the opportunity to meet with authorized trade representatives from Australia, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Israel, Mexico, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.