Trade mission will be an important step toward doubling Utah's exports

Salt Lake City, UTAH - Governor Gary R. Herbert has often highlighted Utah's export growth as the strongest in the nation, but he has also challenged Utah's international business leaders to "double Utah exports in the next five years."  

To help meet that challenge, the Governor, representatives from the Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED), the World Trade Center Utah and several dozen other business leaders are leaving on a trade mission to China, with trade mission events being held April 11-15, 2011. The trade mission will focus on matching Utah businesses with businesses in China, promoting Utah's tourism offerings, meeting with key Chinese government agencies, and showcasing the State's business friendly environment.

"As we embark on this trade mission, we know China is clearly becoming a major trading partner with many Utah companies," said Governor Gary R. Herbert.  "Through our work with local business and government leaders, we will foster and strengthen potent partnerships in business, education and tourism that create jobs and opportunity for Utah's economy."

Strong trade is nothing new to Utah.  Last year, $10.3 billion worth of goods sold worldwide supported 50,000 export-related jobs in 2009.  Within Asia, China itself is one of the fastest growing destinations for Utah exports and a key export market for Utah companies.  Exports to the Greater China area (which include Hong Kong and Taiwan) last year totaled over $2.1billion, making it Utah's second largest trading partner.  

"Over 2006-2010, Utah's exports to the PRC grew 239 percent," said Brett Heimburger, Regional Director for Asia at the Governor's Office of Economic Development.  "This trade mission is an  important step to strengthening that relationship even further.  Creating new markets for Utah's goods and services abroad means more high-paying jobs for Utahns here at home."

The April trade mission will visit China's capital city of Beijing as well as Shanghai, China's largest metropolitan area. The overall goals for these visits are to (1) educate Utah business leaders who wish to do business in China, (2) build key relationships with Chinese government leaders and members of regulatory organizations, and (3) assist Utah companies as they search for business partners.  

GOED's Office of Tourism will have a booth at the China Outbound and Tourism Market (COTTM) trade show that is being held in the China World Trade Center in Beijing. Prior to the trade show, the Governor will host invited tour operators, media, and travel industry.

A few of the highlighted events for the mission will be the Governor and delegates' visit with various heads of government along with key members of many of China's regulatory agencies, a briefing from the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Governor Herbert and officials from Jinshan (a district of Shanghai, China), in order to promote the export of Utah's of clean energy technology.


Delegates traveling on the Trade Mission:
Governor's Office

Gary Herbert
State of Utah

Jeanette Herbert
State of Utah

Aiveni Taufa
State of Utah

Jess Anderson
State of Utah

Derek Miller
State of Utah

Laura Miller
State of Utah

Robert Spendlove
State of Utah

Brett Heimburger
State of Utah

Kit Burton
State of Utah

Leigh Von der Esch
State of Utah

Cynthia Chen
State of Utah


Legislature


Eric Hutchings
State of Utah

Mrs. Hutchings
State of Utah

Curt Bramble
State of Utah

Mrs. Bramble
State of Utah

David Clark
State of Utah

Nan Clark
State of Utah

Paul Ray
State of Utah


Delegates


Bill Jiang
SinoLink Foundation

Matt Holland
Utah Valley University

Norm Wright
Utah Valley University

Jeremy Hanks
Doba

Jon Beckstrand
Master Control Inc

Chad Fox
Master Control Inc

Rich Hartvigsen
NuSkin

Rob Johnson
Noni

Bryan Davis
Xango

Kevin McMurray
USANA

Anthony Nickens
Ceramatec

Lynn Astle
Cosmas Inc

Lewis Farrell
Exordium Group

Ronda Farrell
Exordium Group

Stan Weed
AEGIS International

Mark Garfield
Zions Bank

Carson Garfield
Zions Bank

Lew Cramer
World Trade Center Utah

Chris Shurian
Utah Regional Investment Fund (EB5- Center)

Kreg Peeler
Utah Regional Investment Fund (EB5- Center)

Amanda Peeler
Utah Regional Investment Fund (EB5- Center)

Ron Hansen
AC-FPS

Kim Lofgreen
EDCU and MMK Partners

Rich Nelson
Utah Technology Council

Tim Bridgewater
Utah Fund of Funds

John Clayton
First Equity Holdings

Doug Reed
Advent Systems


Press

John Daley
KSL

Bob Brown
KSL

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