Georgia opens doors of opportunity to China

ATLANTA, Nov. 10, 2010—The state of Georgia is giving its companies new entrées into the world's second-largest consumer market. The Georgia Department of Economic Development has instituted new tools to help small- to medium-sized companies begin trade relationships with China, and is both hosting and undertaking business and tourism missions to continue cultivating relationships leading to Chinese investment and tourism in Georgia. 'China's economy is the elephant in the room – the opportunities there are too promising to ignore, and we've worked hard the last few years to make sure Chinese companies know what Georgia can offer them,' said Heidi Green, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). 'We believe the success we have seen so far is just a taste of what's to come.' The World Bank last week raised its projection of China's 2010 GDP growth from 9.5 percent to 10 percent, due to the strength of China's economy. Manufacturing in the country has continued to surge, and overall Chinese foreign investment during the first eight months of 2010 was a healthy $31.98 billion. To leverage opportunities for Georgia in this environment, GDEcD Deputy Commissioner for Global Commerce Pat Wilson is leading a business mission to four Chinese cities this week. The three-person delegation will make business and diplomatic calls in Beijing, Qingdao, Wuhan and Shanghai. Qingdao, in Shandong Province, is the home of Hisense, an electronics company that located in Gwinnett County in 2009 and has since expanded. Delegations from Shandong Province have visited Georgia three times in the past few years, and the State of Georgia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Shandong Province earlier this year promoting pursuit of mutual business interests. The State also has an MOU with Hubei Province, home of the city of Wuhan and Chinamex, which located a business incubator in Atlanta in 2009. Georgia opened an international office in Beijing in April 2008. 'More and more Chinese companies are aware of the market advantages of investing in the U.S., but are not sure quite how to go about it. By helping educate them about what to expect, we're helping move Georgia to the top of their list when they get ready to make those investment decisions,' said Deputy Commissioner Wilson. In November, five Chinese delegations are visiting Georgia to learn more about foreign direct investment opportunities in the state. These groups include delegations of 37 business executives led by the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and 12 officials representing China's ruling party, as well as groups from Hunan, Zhejiang and Guangxi. Georgia generally averages two visits a month by delegations from China. GDEcD's International Trade Division is also smoothing the way for commerce with China, already ranked as the state's second biggest export destination. For a fee, the division will translate company and product information into Mandarin. These company descriptions will be used to proactively facilitate introductions with key in-country contacts for Georgia exporters. Product descriptions will be posted on www.alibaba.com, a business-to-business international trade website for direct marketing. Georgia's International Trade Representative in China will pre-screen leads generated from the website. Interested companies should call 404-962-4036. 'The outlook for the Chinese market is very good, and we're seeing increasing interest from Georgia companies to get into it,' said Kathe Falls, director of the Trade division.

China has been the state's second-largest export partner since 2007, and last year China exports through Georgia ports totaled almost $1.8 billion. Doraville-based Purafil, Inc., which makes air filtration media, equipment and instrumentation, counts China among its export markets. In addition, companies like Falcon Aviation in Newnan have also grown by providing services to various commercial airlines in China: Falcon has added staff, and the money spent here by pilots in training is circulating through the Georgia economy.

Georgia is also seeing increased interest and visitation from Chinese travelers, according to Kevin Langston, GDEcD's deputy commissioner for Tourism, who has met with both tour operators and travel media in China. Nov. 18 – 21, the state will participate for the second consecutive year in the China International Travel Mart, China's largest travel show. Last year's participation resulted in several tours to Georgia by Chinese tour operators and travel writers.

Georgia has a track record of success with Chinese companies, assisting eight with locations since 2006. These companies have announced more than 700 jobs and $60 million in investment.  The state opened its 10th international office, the Beijing Georgia Business Advisory Center, in 2008 as a platform to develop business relationships and introduce investment, trade and tourism opportunities in Georgia to Chinese companies, tour operators and citizens.

About GDEcD

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. For more information, visit www.georgia.org.