It's tough to find an Alabamian these days who hasn't been hit by the current recession. In order for our state economy to thrive once again, many believe: we must be open-minded and global-minded.
The current recession is a global problem with global solutions. That's the perspective of economic leaders around the world, including Olivier Girard, policy analyst of the European Union, who addressed the Birmingham International Center tonight. He believes the U.S. will recover before Europe will.
"Our problem is that our economy is less good at generating growth than yours is, so it is taking us more time to recover," says Girard.
Meantime, both the EU and the US are experiencing unemployment numbers hovering around nine percent.
The "Keep it Made in America Bus Tour" made a stop this month in Fairfield where hundreds of U.S. Steel workers who've lost their jobs rallied behind this message: to keep jobs here...buy American!
However, members of the Birmingham International Center, such as Michael Johnson, say that protectionism would ultimately have a negative effect on the economy of our state and country.
"We certainly want to have access to markets for our goods," says Johnson, who has worked in both France and Brazil.
Birmingham business leaders say it's a two way street.
"We have had a lot of jobs created here by foreign investment," says Johnson.
Mercedes, Hyundai, and Honda are just three major foreign companies that have created thousands of jobs for Alabamians.
Local attorney Orrin Ford says there are more on the way.
"I am involved with people who are going to come to Alabama and provide jobs to Alabamians as well," says Ford.
Olivier Girard also wants to continue to cultivate positive relations with the U.S. and Alabama to generate trade and investment.
"We want to keep our markets open and want to keep our markets open to US companies. I will definitely try to promote the state when I come back to Europe."
