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2. Focus on emerging markets, not just emerging democracies. 



By emerging markets we mean both the rapid growth in trade in high value 

 products, and the rapid import growth in specific countries in the Pacific Rim and elsewhere. 



Over the past two years the Department has devoted considerable resources to 

 maintaining export levels to emerging democracies, especially to Russia. These are countries 

 that have been, and continue to be, important U.S. markets. They are not always, however, 

 the most rapidly growing markets on a short- to medium-term basis. No foreign market is 

 static; instead, just as countries evolve economically, they also grow through different stages 

 as markets for U.S. commodities. 



Secretary Espy has emphasized that we must refocus our attention and effort on the broader 

 array of emerging markets for quicker benefits. Increased cooperative and development 

 efforts significantly enhance our long term market development efforts. 



Where are these markets? Let me name only a few countries that have been 

 experiencing explosive growth - we haven't yet successfully penetrated when it comes to 

 agricultural trade. 



China — especially the coastal regions from Shenzhen to Shanghai; Indonesia; and 

 other southeast Asian markets, including Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. Mexico ~ 

 and here let me again stress the importance of NAFTA. Other Latin American markets 

 such as Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela; and longer term markets such as India, 

 Egypt and Nigeria. The United States has had extensive cooperative arrangements with these 

 countries. We will continue to build on this foundation to further the expansion of 

 agricultural markets. 



