ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal will lead a 30-person delegation on a trade mission to China and Japan next week, the governor’s office announced Friday.
They’ll wrap up the tour Aug. 29 in Tokyo to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the state’s oldest overseas office for economic development.
“This trip marks a number of milestones for Georgia and emphasizes the state’s commitment to continuing to build on these key relationships,” Deal said.
The goal is to find new customers for Georgia exports, such as airplanes and farm products, while convincing the Chinese to ship products they export to the United States through the ports of Savannah and Brunswick. There will also be a push to lure Chinese and Japanese tourists to the Peach State.
Among those on the trip are Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Curtis Foltz and ports board chairman and Visit Savannah President Joe Marinelli.
Also included are Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, legislators such as Rep. Terry England, University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby and executives from exporting companies such as Gulfstream Aerospace.
“Georgia’s export market to China – wood products, kaolin clay and poultry, to name a few commodities – has been one of our fastest growing trade lanes even during the worst of the recession,” Foltz said. “More than 60 percent of GPA’s business is with Asia, with a growing share export driven. Our hope is that this mission will help to open new markets for Georgia businesses to trade with China.”
The country is the second-largest export destination for Georgia products with a total of $3.6 billion annually.
Kevin Langston, deputy commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Tourism Division, called the mission a chance for state officials to pitch Georgia destinations to tour operators and travel media.
“Chinese visitors are always ‘wowed’ by the iconic Southern experience in Savannah – Spanish Moss-draped Live Oak trees, fountains in the squares and horse-drawn carriages on cobblestone streets,” he said. “It’s the idyllic Southern experience, and international visitors in general – and Chinese visitors in particular – always love it.
“Having an opportunity to pitch it to the travel trade first-hand is a valuable leg up on our competition for that booming market.”