Catherine Smith, commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development, has been appointed vice chair of a new federal advisory council on foreign direct investment.
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced the appointment of 19 private and public sector leaders to the newly established U.S. Investment Advisory Council (IAC). Members — representing U.S. companies, entities, and organizations with missions or activities that include the promotion or facilitation of foreign direct investment — will serve as a conduit for stakeholder input on how best to support U.S. economic growth through the attraction and retention of foreign direct investment.
Pritzker said U.S. affiliates of foreign companies directly employ 6.1 million people nationally and pay higher than average wages.
Established in April 2016, the IAC will advise the Secretary of Commerce on U.S. government policies and programs that affect foreign direct investment.
