WINDSOR LOCKS - The state of United States manufacturing was the focus topic of the fourth annual Connecticut Export Week’s conference held April 29 and attended by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, manufacturers and other businesses across the state.

Connecticut Export Week was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration. The conference encouraged businesses to take action toward becoming global. The kick-off events highlighted companies who are contributors to U.S. exports.

“I just returned from a trip to Jordan, Israel, and Iraq, where I flew on a Connecticut-made aircraft produced in a factory in Stratford,” Murphy said. “As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, I’m reminded of the increasing global reach of Connecticut companies. That’s why I’m always visiting different companies and manufacturing plants in Connecticut, talking to them about how I can partner to try to open up new markets around the world. There are over 65,000 U.S. jobs that are supported by goods that are exported by Connecticut companies. In our state, we are increasing manufacturing jobs because of these new markets outside of our border. I’m so proud when I travel around the world to tell the stories about what our companies are doing.”

“This year we are celebrating our Connecticut manufacturing exporters that have helped our state export a record amount of goods in 2018 to overseas markets,” Anne Evans, director at the International Trade Administration and organizer of Connecticut Export Week, said. “Today’s event will highlight manufacturing trends along with additional must know export topics for company executives. We are pleased to have Sen. Murphy joining us as he has been Connecticut’s champion for manufacturers.”

Connecticut commodity exports surged 17.7% with companies exporting a record $17.4 billion in goods. Connecticut export week concluded on May 3.