Statement from Governor Abercrombie on Obama Visa Task Force

News Release from www.Hawaii.gov/gov January 19, 2012

HONOLULU – President Barack Obama this morning signed an executive order establishing Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing Goals and the Task Force on Travel and Competitiveness. This executive order allows for the ease of access for international travel in the United States. Governor Neil Abercrombie, who has advocated for streamlining the visa processing system, released the following statement:

“In October I met with Minister-Counselor for Consular Affairs Charles Bennett at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing to learn more about some of the difficulties that Chinese visitors face in obtaining visas. I discussed those concerns with President Obama in meetings with him during APEC in November.

“The President’s announcement today is a wonderful New Year’s gift to the people of Hawai'i. President Obama clearly understands that improving the visa and foreign visitor processing and travel promotion will spur economic growth. We look forward to experiencing that growth here in Hawai'i.

“I’m also looking forward to sharing this good news with our friends in China. This executive order will result to their benefit of travel and our continued strengthening of relationships.”

The President's Executive Order establishing Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing Goals and the Task Force on Travel and Competitiveness can be viewed here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/19/executive-order-establishing-visa-and-foreign-visitor-processing-goals-a.