September 15, 2005

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - A group of 113 individuals representing 95 California-based small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) has departed for China in what is the largest-ever trade mission of its kind laying the groundwork for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's trip to China in November.

The "China Discovery Tour and Trade Mission," sponsored in large part by FedEx and scheduled for September 16-25, will offer participants - many of whom have never visited China before - numerous opportunities to visit a number of Chinese cultural landmarks, participate in several business briefings, and meet face-to-face with potential business partners in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai.

The landmark mission was organized by the California World Trade Centers and the State of California Business, Transportation & Housing Agency in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce, the New York-headquartered World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), and the statewide California Trade Partners consortium.

The groundwork for the Tour/Trade Mission was largely laid by Bella Heule, executive director of the San Diego World Trade Center, who was instrumental in overseeing the cooperation between the Chinese government, the California World Trade Centers, and the WTCA, which is concurrently holding its 36th General Assembly (WTCGA) in Shanghai.

"This is a historic event," said Elihu Harris Chairman of the Bay Area World Trade Center, one of the major organizers and participant of the Tour/Trade Mission. "Never in the history of the state has their been a trade mission organized at this level for small to medium sizes companies."

The Tour/Trade Mission is "an unprecedented opportunity for our California companies to hit the ground running with the world's fastest growing economy," said California Assemblyman Joe Coto (D-Silicon Valley) who will be participating in the trade mission.

"We see China business as the next wave of investment and business and job creation in southern California, much like the Japanese entrance into our markets in the 60's and 70's," said Lee Harrington, executive director of the World Trade Center Association of Los Angeles/Long Beach.

"With more than half a million Chinese residents and 35,000 Asian-owned businesses, the building trade and commerce with China is one of our key economic development strategies," he added.

Dr. Sean Randolph, president of the San Francisco-based Bay Area Economic Forum, is accompanying the mission to do research on a business primer for California companies wanting to do business in China.

A seminar will also be held for interested Chinese participants on "Why Invest in California," spearheaded by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp.

The Tour/Trade Mission visit will coincide with the 2006 World Trade Center General Assembly (WTCGA) in Shanghai and enhance the California participants experience by giving them access to more than 400 World Trade Center representatives from 120 cities in 38 countries.

The California World Trade Centers have also organized a "California Reception" during the WTCGA to which all Tour/Mission participants, General Assembly attendees, and local Chinese government officials and business leaders have been invited.

The WTCGA will feature an International Cooperation and Exchange for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Forum. The Forum will be presented by senior Chinese government officials moderating information and matchmaking sessions in a number of major industry sectors including logistics, telecommunications, transportation, computer technology and software, and retail and professional services.

"I am sure that the Assembly will be a wonderful opportunity for you all to exchange views and share more ideas for WTCA family," wrote Ding Jun, executive director of the Shanghai World Trade Center to the California delegation before its departure. "I believe that you will be seeing with your own eyes the great economic momentum of China and feel with your heart the pulse of Shanghai, an emerging metropolitan city."

The California World Trade Centers include the Bay Area World Trade Center; the Northern California World Trade Center; the San Diego World Trade Center; the World Trade Center Association of Los Angeles/Long Beach; and the World Trade Center - Oxnard.

Sponsors of the "China Discovery Tour and Trade Mission" include FedEx; Key Bank; the Port of Oakland; the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority; the Bay Area Economic Forum; the City of Oakland; the Economic Development Alliance for Business; International Technoprint Inc.; Luce Forward, Hamilton & Scripps; the Peralta Community College District; the port of Long Beach; Porter Novelli; QUALCOMM; Transrapid International-USA Inc; Jack Nadel and the Los Angeles Economic Development Corp.

Contact:
Jose Duenas
President and CEO
Bay Area World Trade Center
Tel: 510 773-6368