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J.P. Bilbrey |
Hershey said Friday that the newly created private-sector advisory council will focus on bolstering U.S. commercial relationships with African nations.
"It is a great honor to be selected and to serve on this advisory council to our president," Bilbrey said in a statement. "Africa is home to some of the fastest-growing economies and represents an exciting opportunity for our government and U.S. businesses. The Hershey Co. has a long history in West Africa through sourcing our most important commodity, cocoa and more recently through our important work to help improve the livelihoods of cocoa families and communities in the region."
Bilbrey joins 14 other private-sector leaders on the council, which will provide expert guidance to the president on strengthening partnerships with African countries to leverage opportunities for U.S. companies committed to supporting the continent over the long term.
"Economic growth on the continent will continue to drive demand for U.S. exports, which will ultimately help create jobs at home and provide valuable investment opportunities for U.S. businesses," commented Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Commerce and Bloomberg Philanthropies co-hosted the first-ever U.S.-Africa Business Forum. As part of his commitment to boost engagement between the United States and Africa, President Obama signed an executive order at the forum to promote economic growth in the United States and Africa by spurring U.S. companies to trade with and invest in Africa. The order directed the secretary of commerce to establish the PAC-DBIA, which will provide information, analysis, and recommendations on U.S.-Africa trade and investment priorities.
