PRESIDENT OBAMA'S REMARKS TO BUSINESS LEADERS

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE 

Remarks by the President at Meeting with Business Leaders

Roosevelt Room

11:05 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT:  For the press, I just want to point out these are some outstanding companies, all of whom are investing in the United States, are representing major companies that see the U.S. as a great place to do business.  We have made enormous strides over the last several years not just recovering from a Great Recession, but taking advantage of and now marketing the advantages of doing business in the United States -- whether it’s low energy costs, an incredibly productive workforce.

Obviously, we have the most dynamic and creative and innovative economy in the world, but we don’t always do what it takes to go after business around the world and make sure that they know the benefits of investing in the largest market on Earth.  And we want to be more systematic about it.  We want to make sure that the federal government is working in sync with state and local governments when it comes to locating businesses here in the United States. 

SelectUSA turned out to be an enormously successful process where we’re coordinating between agencies as well as other stakeholders.  And we want to make sure that it’s even more successful the next time.  So this is a terrific venue for us to learn from some outstanding companies.  And we’re announcing that we’ll have our next SelectUSA conference -- give me the exact date, Jeff.

MR. ZIENTS:  March of 2015.

THE PRESIDENT:  March of 2015 -- which is right around the corner.  (Laughter.) 

So thank you for participating.  We’re very excited about it.  Thanks, everybody.

END               
11:07 A.M. EDT

SUMMIT HELD IN WASHINGTON D.C. TO PROMOTE "DOING BUSINESS IN THE USA"

FROM:  U.S. LABOR DEPARTMENT 
Doing Business in the USA

 Secretary Perez meets with SelectUSA attendees to discuss our talented, diverse and resilient workforce.  The local level is where economic development partnerships are forged, Secretary Perez, who has been a local elected official, noted at the SelectUSA 2013 Investment Summit. These local workforces are talented, diverse and resilient and, having met workers across the country, Perez said, "they are raring to go!" Perez spoke on Oct. 31 at the summit, which connects businesses and investors from around the world with state, regional and local economic development organizations. The summit, held in Washington, D.C., was hosted by the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration and SelectUSA, and attracted more than 3,000 business leaders, entrepreneurs, government officials and others. Earlier in the day, President Obama addressed the summit on the importance of doing business in America, where "you'll find some of the world's best workers, some of the world's most innovative entrepreneurs. You'll find a government, and a president who is committed to helping you create more good jobs for the middle class, and helping you succeed well into the 21st century." Other participants included Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, Secretary of State John Kerry, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, and the chair of the Council of Economic Advisors, Jason Furman.