FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Matthew Haller, 202-460-8356
Jenna Weisbord, 310-995-0839
mhaller@franchise.org
jweisbord@franchise.org
@franchising411
IFA’S INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR APPOINTED TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Josh Merin, CFE, director of International Affairs at the International Franchise Association, was appointed to serve on the United States Department of Commerce and United States Trade Representative’s Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Services and Finance Industries (ITAC 10).
“IFA is honored that Josh has been appointed to advise the US Trade Representative and Secretary of Commerce on behalf of franchised business,” said IFA President & CEO Robert Cresanti, CFE. “Franchising is a critical and under-appreciated component of U.S. exports and franchise agreements often act as significant export multipliers. As U.S. franchise companies continue to grow internationally, their health and contributions they make to the U.S. economy and employment will only become more dependent on their ability to operate in a fair and equitable trade environment.”
As a member of the committee, Merin will provide detailed policy, technical advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce and The United States Trade Representative regarding trade barriers, negotiations of trade agreements, and implementation of existing trade agreements affecting the franchise industry; and perform other advisory functions relevant to U.S. trade policy matters.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis franchise fee exports have nearly doubled since 2006 and franchise fees have an overwhelmingly (34 to 1) positive impact on America’s trade balance. The global growth of US franchises is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
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About the International Franchise Association
Celebrating 56 years of excellence, education and advocacy, the International Franchise Association is the world’s oldest and largest organization representing franchising worldwide. IFA works through its government relations and public policy, media relations and educational programs to protect, enhance and promote franchising and the more than 800,000 franchise establishments that support nearly 9.1 million direct jobs, $994 billion of economic output for the U.S. economy and 3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). IFA members include franchise companies in over 300 different business format categories, individual franchisees and companies that support the industry in marketing, law, technology and business development.