World Trade Center Alaska.

• Author: Shake, Robert L.

I am proud to serve as the chairman of the World Trade Center Alaska (WTCAK) board of directors during 2007, the organization's 20th anniversary year. It's an exciting time to be involved with the center as Alaska's international trade economy continues to expand. Last year, exports from the state reached an all-time record high of $4 billion. These export activities support thousands of high-paying jobs, generate significant investments in our natural resource industries, and help to diversify the state's economic base.

For the past two decades, WTCAK has worked with its members and community partners to explore and pursue international trade opportunities. We are involved with companies from across the state, large and small, that share an interest in building their businesses by exporting their products or services to customers overseas. In addition, companies that provide services to the exporting community, such as banks, freight forwarders and customs brokers, have also joined the Trade Center. We have helped introduce Alaskans to new markets, such as the Russian Far East and, more recently, to emerging markets, such as China and India. The Trade Center currently has five trade development programs that are focused on both established markets for...