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Gov. Perdue to lead jobs-focused economic development mission to Asia
Story Date: 9/26/2011
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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 9/23/11
In mid-October, Gov. Bev Perdue and N.C. Department of Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco will lead an economic development mission to China and Japan that will focus on growing jobs in North Carolina. Gov. Perdue will spend eight days in Asia for business meetings and events before returning to the state. North Carolina Commerce Department officials will be in Asia for several more days to continue business meetings.
While there, Gov. Perdue and Commerce Department officials will meet with business prospects to encourage them to invest in North Carolina and to buy North Carolina products and services. The goal of the mission is to grow high-potential sectors in North Carolina including energy, advanced manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, life sciences, pharmaceuticals and information technology. In addition, plans are underway for Gov. Perdue to visit two universities in China that have partnerships with universities in North Carolina. Gov. Perdue is also expected to participate in National Governors Association meetings in China that are going on simultaneously.
“My top priority is growing jobs,” Gov. Perdue said. “This mission will focus on job creation by encouraging international investment in North Carolina, and by helping North Carolina companies to sell their goods and services overseas. International investments are important to our growing economy, and increasing our exports means jobs and investments right here in our state.”
Over the last ten years, international investment and job creation has accounted for about 15 percent of all investment and jobs in North Carolina, amounting to more than $9 billion in investments and 40,000 jobs. China is North Carolina’s second largest trading partner now, exporting over $2.2 billion worth of products and services. Japan is North Carolina’s fourth largest trading partner, exporting more than $1.7 billion worth of products and services.
In China, Gov. Perdue will go to Beijing, Hangzhou, Shanghai, and Suzhou. She will visit Tokyo while in Japan. In addition, Commerce officials have business meetings in Hong Kong and Nagoya.
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