Bonham - The president of the Fannin County Farm Bureau endorsed the efforts of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF), the Coalition of Service Industries (CSI) and the National Association of
Manufacturers (NAM) in setting out to double U.S. exports in five years.

These groups have put forth a comprehensive approach to do exactly that, said Fannin County Farm Bureau President Jerry Magness. It’s also a key goal of President Obama. Under this approach, the three organizations outline policy changes needed to improve market access and level the playing field in a competitive global market.

“Doubling exports in five years is really ambitious,” Magness said. “But we can do it if we’re willing to make some major changes.”
Magness said the Farm Bureau has laid out the following changes that are necessary to achieve the goal.

· Enact pending trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.
· Pursue new trade agreements.
· Reduce non-tariff barriers.
· Improve competitiveness with investments in infrastructure and trade facilitation initiatives.
· Pursue a Doha Round agreement that expands world trade.
· Improve export promotion efforts and financing policies.

Competing nations are moving forward with free trade agreements and the U.S. risks being left behind without taking similar action, Magness said.