Washington, D.C.— U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today made the following statement after the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) released new data showing Minnesota’s exports of agricultural, mining and manufactured goods rose 1.2 percent in 2012, an increase of $246 million from the previous year. Earlier this year, Klobuchar was appointed to the President’s Export Council, which is the primary national advisory committee on international exports.

“Exports are literally a world of opportunity and thisreport makes clear that our state’s farmers and businesses are continuing to capitalize on these opportunities at record levels,” said Klobuchar. “As a member of the President’s Export Council I have long been committed to efforts to boost exports and I will continue to work to open up new markets for U.S. exports and make sure Minnesota businesses can compete in the global marketplace.”

Klobuchar has been a leader in efforts to boost America’s ability to compete in the global economy, working to cut red tape for businesses and open up new markets to U.S. exports. She previously chaired the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation, and Export Promotion, and passed legislation—the Export Promotion Act—to help small- and medium-sized businesses sell their products in international markets.

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