a. The expansion of international trade is vital to the maintenance and continued growth of a healthy New Jersey economy;

b. An increase in exports from New Jersey would benefit the State and ultimately the nation by improving the United States balance of trade;

c. The State of New Jersey boasts a comprehensive and efficient transportation system, including a major international airport, an inter- and intrastate railway and extensive port facilities in both the northern and southern New Jersey regions;

d. As a major northeastern industrial state, New Jersey has a skilled labor force whose members produce manufactured and agricultural goods, high technology and services, all of which are marketable to foreign consumers;

e. The Legislature established the Division of International Trade in the Department of Commerce and Economic Development for the express purpose of promoting New Jersey in international commerce and encouraging firms with foreign trade potential to locate in New Jersey;

f. In order to realize New Jersey’s export potential and effectively promote the State in international trade, it is necessary to augment certain functions of the Division of International Trade, thus confirming it as the leading State agency in the field of international commerce, and to establish a bipartisan commission of trade experts.

L. 1985, c. 160, s. 1, eff. April 26, 1985.