TO THE EDITOR:
The recent (March 21) article on the benefits to Connecticut from the free trade agreement with South Korea fails to identify several important business opportunities for Connecticut companies.
 Firstly it should be noted that the agreement has not been yet approved by the U.S. Senate and therefore is not in effect. Even after approval is received it will be several months before we start to see any impact on the U.S. and local economy.
 Having said that, however, the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement will benefit the Connecticut economy and lead to job creation in several very important ways:
 1) Koreaˆ’s $1 trillion economy will become more open to U.S. goods and services thru simplified and expedited customs procedures which will enable Connecticut businesses to reach Korean customers more quickly and with less red tape.
2) Over 90 percent of aircraft and related equipment, and many other manufactured goods produced in Connecticut, will enter Korea duty free immediately.
 3) The agreement will remove significant market access barriers in Korea for Connecticut-based financial services companies such as insurance services.
4) “Indirect “exports, i.e. sales by Connecticut companies to other U.S. firms with sales to South Korea, including the automotive industry, will also benefit our state economy.
 I believe this opportunity is very real and I urge the DECD and industry groups to take all necessary steps to inform companies of the possibilities.
Paul Pirrotta
President,
Paul Pirrotta International
Glastonbury
