Villaraigosa Names Trade Office Official

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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Wednesday announced he had tapped a Clinton administration State Department official to head an expanded international trade office.


Andre Winston Lewis, 42, who worked on international environmental and national security issues in the Clinton State Department, will spearhead Villaraigosa’s initiatives to boost L.A.’s presence in the global economy.


In making the announcement, Villaraigosa noted that one in seven new jobs created in Los Angeles is related to international trade.


“Without a doubt, our engagement in the global economy has been and will continue to be a major engine of economic growth,” he said. “While globalization is not without its challenges, we stand to lose more by turning our backs on the world, than by embracing it. Mr. Lewis shares my vision and is committed to strengthening Los Angeles’ economy through increased international trade and commerce.”


Under Lewis, the mayor’s international trade office has been expanded from one position to three. The office will work to attract and retain foreign investment and to promote the exports of L.A. based businesses. Also, Villaraigosa said, the office will work with the Mayor’s Office of Protocol, the Los Angeles Business Team and other city departments to maintain and enhance the city’s economic links around the world.


The office will also work with existing trade-oriented organizations in the L.A. area to make it easier for businesses in L.A. to find export markets.

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Howard Fine
Howard Fine is a 23-year veteran of the Los Angeles Business Journal. He covers stories pertaining to healthcare, biomedicine, energy, engineering, construction, and infrastructure. He has won several awards, including Best Body of Work for a single reporter from the Alliance of Area Business Publishers and Distinguished Journalist of the Year from the Society of Professional Journalists.

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