Local Trade Group to Discuss Export Industry

Stronger economies in Asia and Europe coupled with a weaker U.S. dollar should help narrow the nation’s gaping trade deficit next year, said local economist Jack Kyser. But he warned that Southern California’s trade infrastructure is still not adequate to handle the projected growth in import/export traffic in the next several years. Kyser will discuss that and other issues related to the region’s export industry at a meeting Wednesday of the Foreign Trade Assn. of Southern California. Jan Erik Hareid, executive director for the Norwegian Trade & Technology office, will also discuss the recent spate of high-technology joint ventures between companies in his country and the United States. The event is scheduled for noon at the Los Angeles Marriott Downtown. For more information, call (949) 458-1301.