Gov. Heineman Highlights Plans for Upcoming Trade Mission to Asia
Press Release
Gov. Heineman Highlights Plans for Upcoming Trade Mission to Asia
Gov. Dave Heineman will lead a delegation of Nebraskans on a trade mission departing, Sunday, Sept. 2 and returning Thursday, Sept. 13. The trip includes stops in China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan.
"This trade mission presents a great opportunity to explore agriculture and business development efforts in several important Asian markets," Gov. Heineman said. "Japan and China are particularly valuable export markets for Nebraska. This visit allows us to spend some quality time exploring opportunities for new exports and promoting Nebraska as an excellent place to do business."
The delegation is the largest ever assembled for a Nebraska international trade mission. A total of 66 delegates are expected to join the Governor on the trip.
First Lady Sally Ganem, Greg Ibach, Director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and Richard Baier, Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, are scheduled to make the trip. Also participating are economic development professionals from several Nebraska communities and representatives from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Nebraska Medical Center, agribusiness, commodity groups, and other Nebraska companies.
The first stop is in China, where the delegation will visit Shanghai, one of the country's largest commercial and industrial cities. The Governor is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Guizhou provincial government, before traveling onto Hong Kong and Macau.
While in Japan the Governor will participate in the annual Midwest U.S. Japan Association Conference and visit The Nebraska Center, the state's first foreign trade office, located in downtown Tokyo. He is also scheduled to meet with the Governors of the Shizuoka and Saitama provinces.
Gov. Heineman said, "I look forward to introducing our business representatives joining us on this trip to the resources we have available to assist them, thanks to our full-time presence in Japan at The Nebraska Center."
In Taiwan, the Governor will visit the Taipei port and attend a dinner being hosted by the U.S. Meat Export Federation.
The trade mission will provide opportunities for delegation members to meet with government officials, potential trading partners and foreign investors who've expressed an interest in doing business in the state.
Japan is currently the third largest international market for Nebraska, with exports of ag and all other products totaling $226 million in 2006. China is one of Nebraska's fastest growing markets, having more than doubled in value during the last five years. Combined exports totaled nearly $181 million last year, up from $68 million in 2001.
Taiwan represents a nearly $65 million export market for Nebraska, while combined exports to Hong Kong totaled nearly $37 million in 2006.
This is the sixth trade mission of Gov. Heineman's administration. Photos and updates from the trade mission will be posted on the Governor's Web site throughout the trip, which is available at http://www.gov.state.ne.us.
Source