Las Vegas business owner makes White House trip to discuss exports
Las Vegas, Nev. - June 3, 2008It's not often that a Nevada business owner gets an invitation from the president to talk about issues directly related to his company. But for Panch Prasad, owner of Las Vegas-based U.S. International Trading Corp. (USITC), that request came in May.
In late 2007, Prasad was appointed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez to the U.S. District Export Council. As a result, Prasad was recently invited to the White House for a World Trade Week event. While there, Prasad briefly met with the president himself, Mr. Gutierrez and other members of the export council to discuss potential free-trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea, as well as issues facing businesses who, like Prasad's USITC, work to balance America's enormous trade deficit. Through its cosmetic brands - Mill Creek Botanicals, Amazon Organics, DuBarry, Bellance and Silver Fox - USITC sells U.S.-made natural cosmetic products to domestic and international markets, which include: Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe among others.
"Open markets play an integral role in America's economic progress, creating better-paying jobs, expanding consumer choices, and providing increased opportunities for American workers and employers," said President George Bush in his World Trade Week proclamation.
"It really was an honor to meet with these people and be able to discuss ways to help promote more international trade," Prasad said, while adding with a laugh, "George Bush asked about some of my company's activity and products. He even asked if we have something good for his sunburn."
And of course, USITC does!
Prasad, who in 2007 won the Nevada "exporter of the year" award from the U.S. Department of Commerce, sees his involvement with the export council as a chance to get the word out to American business owners about the wealth of opportunities available to them in the export market.
"I have learned that once you tell someone a product is made in the U.S., people around the globe associate that with quality," Prasad added. "Our role in the export council is to be an advocate for the international trade market. There are grants and programs the government has in place to help you achieve your goal of selling American products or services to the world. You just need to know where to look."
For more information about USITC or the U.S. District Export Council, call (702) 651-6112.
About USITC:
Founded in 1990, U.S. International Trading Corp. develops, manufactures and distributes its five unique brands: Mill Creek Botanicals, Amazon Organics, DuBarry, Bellance and Silver Fox through his facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. A trained chemist, CEO Panch Prasad, began his journey into the world of cosmetics when a friend called him in the late-80s wanting to purchase three truckloads of Aqua Net hairspray for distribution in South Korea. With Prasad's determination a deal was struck netted $30,000 profit to his company. Since that time Prasad has passionately pursued business overseas, while aggressively acquiring and creating the best cosmetic brands. Now, more than 25 countries sell his products.
Panch with President George W. Bush
Panch with President George W. Bush
Panch with Secretary of Commerce, Hon. Carlos Gutierrez
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