Historic California Trade Mission Departs For China



A group of 113 individuals representing 95 California-based small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) will depart tonight (Thursday) for China in what is the largest-ever trade mission of its kind. It comes on the heels of the Governor's trip in November sponsored by FEDEX.

The "China Discovery Tour and Trade Mission," scheduled for September 16-25, will offer participants - many of whom have never visited China before - numerous opportunities to visit a number of Chinese cultural landmarks, participate in several business briefings, and meet face-to-face with potential business partners in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai.

"This is a historic event," said Chairman Elhu Harris of the Bay Area World Trade Center, one of the major organizers of the Tour/Trade Mission. "Never in the history of the state has there been a trade mission organized at this level for small-to-medium sizes companies."

Assemblyman Joe Coto, 23rd-Dist., D-San Jose, said, "This is an unprecedented opportunity for our California companies to hit the ground running with the worlds fastest growing economy."
The Tour/Trade Mission was organized by the California World Trade Centers and the State of California Business, Transportation & Housing Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the statewide California Trade Partners consortium.

Dr. Sean Randolph, president of the San Francisco-based Bay Area Economic Forum, is accompanying the mission to do research on a business primer for California companies wanting to do business in China.

A seminar will be presented for interested Chinese participants on "Why Invest in California" and spearheaded by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC).
The Tour/Trade Mission visit will coincide with the 2006 World Trade Center General Assembly (WTCGA) in Shanghai and enhance the California participants experience by giving them access to more than 400 World Trade Center representatives from 120 cities in 38 countries.

The WTCGA will feature an International Cooperation and Exchange for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Forum. The Forum will be presented by senior Chinese government officials moderating information and matchmaking sessions in a number of major industry sectors including logistics, telecommunications, transportation, computer technology and software, and retail and professional services.

"I am sure that the Assembly will be a wonderful opportunity for you all to exchange views and share more ideas for WTCA family," said Ding Jun, executive director of the Shanghai World Trade Center in a letter to the California delegation before its departure. "I believe that you will be seeing with your own eyes the great economic momentum of China and feel with your heart the pulse of Shanghai, an emerging metropolitan city."

The California World Trade Centers have also organized a "California Reception" during the WTCGA to which all Tour/Mission participants, General Assembly attendees, and local Chinese government officials and business leaders have been invited.

"We see China business as the next wave of investment and business and job creation in southern California, much like the Japanese entrance into our markets in the 60's and 70's," said Lee Harrington, CEO/President of the World Trade Center Association of Los Angeles/Long Beach.

"With more than half a million Chinese residents and 35,000 Asian-owned businesses, building trade and commerce with China is one of our key economic development strategies," he added.

The California World Trade Centers include the Bay Area World Trade Center; the Northern California World Trade Center; the San Diego World Trade Center; the World Trade Center Association of Los Angeles/Long Beach; and the World Trade Center - Oxnard.

Sponsors of the "China Discovery Tour and Trade Mission" include FedEx; Key Bank; the Port of Oakland; the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority; the Bay Area Economic Forum; the City of Oakland; the Economic Development Alliance for Business; International Technoprint Inc.; Luce Forward, Hamilton & Scripps; the Peralta Community College District; the port of Long Beach; Porter Novelli; QUALCOMM; Transrapid International-USA Inc; and the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp.

About the LAEDC
The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (www.laedc.org) (LAEDC) is a private, non-profit (501C3) organization, whose mission is to attract, retain and grow businesses and jobs in Los Angeles County. Since 1996, the LAEDC has helped create or retain more than 100,000 jobs, representing $3.5 billion in annual salaries and $64.6 million in tax revenues to support schools and local government.

Editors note: For advanced media interviews or higher resolution images please contact Aida Mayo or George McQuade at MAYO Communications (www.MayoCommunications.com) 818-340-5300.]
                        
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Historic California Trade Mission Departs For China