Walker Announces Trade Mission to China 01.13

Read this article on line

Gov. Scott Walker today announced a trade mission to China scheduled for April 12-21 to build stronger trade ties and promote the state as a global destination for foreign institutional capital.

Companies encouraged to participate in the trade mission are in the areas of advanced manufacturing, environmental and water remediation, clean energy production, storage and distribution, and food processing and safety.

Walker noted that China remains an important and viable market for key Wisconsin exports, including industrial machinery, medical equipment, clean energy and clean water technologies, and agricultural products. The mission will include meetings in Beijing, Shanghai, Hefei, and Harbin, with one-on-one meetings available to participants in each location.

After Canada and Mexico, China is Wisconsin’s third-largest trading partner, as state exports to China totaled $1.38 billion in 2011, and state officials recently introduced Chinese investors to state businesses seeking early-stage capital. Ulice Payne Jr., co-chair of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s China Council, said the mission would help continue the growth of Wisconsin’s exports to China and position the state of as an “international destination for foreign institutional capital, an opportunity that can assist Wisconsin companies to secure capital through foreign direct investment.”

Representatives from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection will accompany Walker. Also during the trip, the Governor will meet with Wisconsin businesses already operating in China.

For more details about the China trip, visit http://www.inwisconsin.com/chinamission2013.