Republican Governor (AK); ; nominee for Vice President
Trade important to Alaska, but keep Alaska residents first
Alaskans have been first-rate at international trade for decades. To our friends in international markets, thank you for your friendship and trade. Alaska welcomes your business and investment.
International trade is important to Alaska. Our exports
grew more than 12% last year, and, for the first time, our annual exports topped $4 billion in 2006. We are helping our economy and economies around the world through trade.
In all our efforts, we will keep Alaska residents first. We will help Alaska
businesses succeed in their key international markets. We will improve Alaska's positive international relations with our key trading partners. We will help open new doors.
Education helps trade, too. International courses at our schools and
universities help us excel in international markets. We must further prepare Alaskans for international investment and trade opportunities by encouraging education that includes strong workforce development for our high-wage energy and mining industries.
Source: Letter from the governor on state trade website
Sep 1, 2008
Allow wineries to ship by mail within state
Governor Sarah Palin signed into law today House Bill 34, which allows the holder of a winery license to ship up to five gallons of wine within Alaska. The new law will help small Alaska wineries compete with out-of-state wineries through mail, fax
orders, and Internet sales, provided that the shipping address is not located in an area that has prohibited importation of alcohol. Before today, Alaskans could order wine from outside Alaska, but they could not order from in-state wineries.
International markets and companies trust Alaska's stable, transparent business climate. They appreciate the creativity and friendliness they find in our state.I want to honor Alaskans who connect us all to the world.
The North Star Awards are a good way to celebrate the international know-how of Alaskans.
Source: Statement to Announce the North Star Awards
Apr 2, 2008
Exempt Alaskan cruise ships from customs rule changes
Governor Sarah Palin has asked the US Bureau of Customs and Border Protection to back off on a proposed rule interpretation that would harm the Alaska tourism industry. At issue is the agency's proposed interpretation of an 1886 maritime law that would
require foreign-owned cruise ships running between the US West Coast and Hawaii to spend at least 48 hours in a foreign port. The vessels would also have to spend at least half as much time in a foreign port as spent in all US ports of call.
If applied to Alaska cruises the new interpretation would force cruise lines to significantly cut back their time in Alaska ports, pulling hundreds of millions of dollars a year out of the Alaska economy.
"The proposed rule interpretation, aimed at
Hawaiian Coastwise Cruises, would be a dramatic and abrupt shift in policy," Governor Palin said in a letter to the bureau. "Taking something that is working well and changing it--much less on 30 days notice--is not reasonable public policy."
Record-high exports; growth of 12.6% since last year
Governor Sarah Palin today announced the value of Alaska's exports grew to a record-high $4 billion in 2006, a 12.6 percent increase. "Alaskans have been first-rate at international trade for decades," said Governor Palin. "I applaud the hard-working
Alaskans who help our economy at home, and other economies around the world, through trade."
Alaska's 10-year trend toward diversification of international seafood markets continues. Germany's increased use of Alaska seafood is linked to the value the
market places on health, food traceability, and fisheries management. The value of Alaska's 2006 energy exports decreased 21.4 percent to $263 million.
"We not only have abundant and diverse natural resources, Alaskans also have the expertise needed
to develop resources," said Governor Palin. "When we think about exports and international relations, we also need to thank the Alaskans who work to promote the visitor industry and who work at the state's international ports and airports."
