Gov. Scott Walker announced he will lead a trade mission to China in April to build trade ties between Wisconsin firms and Chinese businesses and investors.
The mission will take place April 12 through 21.
“The mission reinforces the strong position the State of Wisconsin has in the global marketplace,” Walker said. “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. I am looking forward to going to China to promote the Wisconsin brand and to help Wisconsin companies expand overseas.”
Walker will be accompanied by representatives from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
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 sectors.
“This mission will help continue the growth of Wisconsin’s exports to China and position the state as an international destination for foreign institutional capital, an opportunity that can assist Wisconsin companies to secure capital through foreign direct investment,” said Ulice Payne Jr., co-chair of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce’s China Council.
“Wisconsin has been building strong trade ties with China over the years, and the governor’s mission to China provides the opportunity to showcase the state’s global leadership in several key sectors,” said Tim Sheehy, president of the MMAC.
The mission will include meetings in Beijing, Shanghai, Hefei and Harbin, with one-on-one meetings available to participants in each location. Walker will meet with Wisconsin businesses already operating in China. In Hefei, the Governor’s focus will be to further Wisconsin’s reputation as a world leader in environmental and water remediation technologies and services.
In Harbin, the delegation will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Wisconsin-Heilongjiang Sister-State relationship and highlight our agricultural exports.
China is Wisconsin’s third largest export market, behind Canada and Mexico. Wisconsin exports to China totaled $1.38 billion in 2011.
Learn more about the China mission trip at www.inwisconsin.com/chinamission2013.
