LANSING— Gov. Rick Snyder will lead an investment mission to China that leaves Michigan on Sept. 18 and returns Sept. 27. This will be Snyder’s second mission to China, where he will focus on strengthening relationships and developing pathways for increasing Michigan exports to the country.
“Michigan continues to build a strong partnership with China to create new trade and business opportunities,” Snyder said. “Throughout this mission we will work to open more doors to new markets in China for businesses from across our state, while continuing to make the case that Michigan provides the most strategic location in North America for Chinese companies to expand.”
Concurrent with the governor’s investment mission, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. will lead business leaders from 21 Michigan companies to China to meet with prospective partners, distributors and buyers to increase export opportunities from Michigan to China. In addition to one-on-one meetings, this delegation will also come together with the governor’s delegation for several key events throughout the mission. Also participating in the trade mission is Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Jamie Clover Adams.
Snyder and his delegation will travel to Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guiyang, Wuhan and Chengdu to meet with government officials and business executives. The governor will also attend the opening of the Michigan Center China Office in Shanghai, meet with U.S. Ambassador to China, Gary Locke, and deliver a keynote during an “Invest USA” session at the Western China International Fair. The agriculture delegation will meet with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Trade Office officials, tour wholesale and retail markets, and attend meetings with Michigan food companies and current and potential buyers.
Business leaders and economists estimate large potential growth opportunities for Michigan in China.
Snyder led an eight-day trade mission to Asia in September 2011, where he met with Japanese, Chinese and Korean government officials and major company executives to promote business opportunities in Michigan. Snyder also led a seven-day mission to Italy and Germany earlier this year where he met with senior-level executives from a number of automotive and alternative energy companies, as well as government officials.
