September 3, 2010

RAEDC to Lead in 3rd Consecutive Annual China Sales Visit

For Immediate Release
September 3, 2010

Rockford, IL - The Rockford Area Economic Development Council will lead in a China Sales Visit this September 5th - 15th. This sales trip marks the third consecutive annual sales trip to China made by the RAEDC. The China international trade initiative is designed to ultimately grow the wealth of the Rockford Region by marketing the region as a location for Chinese companies to place investment. You can track RAEDC activities on this trip to China by following this link czethmayr.livejournal.com to the blog being maintained by RAEDC Manager of International Relations & Client Solutions, Carrie Zethmayr, who will be participating in the sales trip and is fluent in Mandarin. Additional delegation members will include Koh Fujimoto, Principal of Corbett, Duncan & Hubly, P.C., and Zachary Zhao, Managing Director, Shanghai Office of the State of Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity.

China will have the largest economy on the planet in 2050. There are over $1.3 Trillion currently locked up in the Chinese economy that the Chinese government is encouraging its people and companies to place back into the United States. China continues to grow in international prominence. Its businesses continue to go global by investing in foreign countries and buying more goods and services from countries like the US. Rockford's infrastructure, manufacturing strength, and proximity to Chicago make it a natural trading partner and investment location for Chinese companies. Presently 3 of China's largest companies have operations in Rockford: Wanxiang, Dalian Machine Tool Group and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. As new foreign companies open manufacturing, assembly, and distribution locations in the Rockford Area, this foreign investment creates job opportunities for our local community.

One of the primary activities the RAEDC will engage in while in China is attendance at the 14th annual China International Fair for Investment & Trade (CIFIT) conference in Xiamen. Themed on "Introducing FDI" and "Going Global," CIFIT is China's premier investment event solely sponsored by China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), fully dedicated to promoting global investment. The RAEDC will also participate in a matchmaking symposium as a part of this conference.

Additionally, the RAEDC will meet with freight forwarders to discuss partnering with the Chicago Rockford International Airport, Wanxiang Group to discuss further investment in the Rockford Area, an automotive manufacturer to discuss manufacturing, assembly and distribution from a Rockford Area based location, 2 site selection companies that manage outbound investment from China, two solar panel manufacturing companies to discuss manufacturing, assembly and distribution opportunities, and representatives from the Tianjin Economic Development Area (TEDA) that manage outbound investment. Overall, the RAEDC will travel to 6 cities: Hong Kong, Xiamen, Hangzhou, Shanghai, Jilin, and Tianjin.

ABOUT THE RAEDC
The primary role of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council is to enhance wealth creation in the Rockford Region by marketing the area and helping employers retain and create quality jobs. The RAEDC works closely with many partners to serve as a one-stop resource for clients, to improve the competitiveness of the region, and to engage the community in the work of economic development.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Carrie Zethmayr
815.969.4263
czethmayr@rockfordil.com
www.rockfordil.com