Business group gives details about trade trip to China

Appearing in the Charleston Daily Mail

June 22, 2009

by George Hohmann

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Charleston Area Alliance has released more information about its planned trade mission to China in April.

During the alliance's Annual Celebration at the Clay Center on June 3, Matt Ballard announced that the regional economic development organization is planning the trip.

Ballard, the Alliance's president and chief executive officer, said the trip is scheduled to depart from Charleston on April 16. He said the rationale for the mission includes:

exposing local businesses, citizens and government leaders to present and future economic opportunities in China, including attracting new direct foreign investment and job creation in West Virginia.

meeting with Chinese leaders to establish relationships. He said trade mission participants will likely meet with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce, the United States Department of Commerce's Export Office and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

assisting local businesses that may want to continue or begin exporting to China.
exploring and learning about the most populous country in the world.

The group will likely stop in four cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Souzhou.
Ballard said trip participants can expect to gain a better understanding of:

the economic and cultural changes in China and how they impact West Virginia, the United States and the globe.

their own business or our region's economic assets and how they can be used to boost imports and exports or to open facilities in China.

what Chinese businesses are looking for when they seek to expand into the United States market.

The trip also is expected to include a roundtable discussion of Alliance business and activities plus tours of a few historic or cultural venues like the Great Wall and Tiananmen Square.

"We are working now to finalize a strong agenda and maximize the mission, which will be seven days on the ground in China," he said. "Cost of the trade mission is expected to be approximately $2,500, which would include the flight to and from JFK to Beijing; all transportation while in China, including in-country flights and bus; three meals per day while in China; and hotel. The Alliance hopes to have the final pricing completed in early July."

Ballard said the deadline to commit to the trip will likely be Jan. 1.

Contact writer George Hohmann at http://dailymail.com/Business/contact/ohfvarff+qnvylznvy+pbz+return=/Business/200906220684 or 304-348-4836.