FORSYTH, Mont. -- The recent Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Big Sky, Mont., will continue to benefit Montanans for years to come.
A rancher and small businessperson, I joined more than 100 other small- and medium- sized Montana businesses, in participating in this unprecedented event which, literally, brought the world to Big Sky Country.
APEC is an organization of 21 of the world's top economies, including the U.S., China, Japan, Korea, Canada, Russia and Australia, and, in total, represents one-third of the world's population and 2.7 billion consumers. APEC countries constitute 43 percent of all world trade and purchase 58 percent of all American export goods.
Building partnerships
The summit provided Montana farmers, ranchers and businesspeople unprecedented access to network face-to-face with business leaders and top government officials from around the world, including U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Trade Representative Ron Kirk. It provided Montana's many dynamic, innovative businesses tremendous natural resources, world-class products and good old-fashioned work ethic opportunity to shine on the global stage.
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Export workshops provided tools, techniques and resources to enter and successfully compete in world markets, at a time when only 1 percent of U.S. companies export, and most of those only export to one country. Montana entrepreneurs were given a unique opportunity to learn more skills and leverage new connections and opportunities to grow their businesses and support good-paying jobs here at home.
Expanding trade and investments, which foster Montana's growth and prosperity, will continue long into the future, thanks to this effort to facilitate economic cooperation by Montana Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont.
Editor's Note: Quinlan is a southeastern Montana rancher and businessman.
