The high-rises of Pudong, on the east bank of the Huangpu River in central Shanghai, can be seen from the Bund. The Georgia and Gwinnett missions will link up in Shanghai. (Scott Kraft/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Two major economic development delegations from Georgia will travel to Asia soon to drum up jobs and investment for the state.
On Friday, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce will leave for China on a 12-day trip that will also include stops in South Korea. The chamber said in a news release Thursday that four companies will announce new operations or North American headquarters that will locate in the northern suburban county.
On Saturday, the state Department of Economic Development will start its own 14-day mission to China and Japan. The trip will include the introduction of a new leader of Georgia’s mission in China, John Ling.
The state and Gwinnett delegations will link up in the Chinese cities of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Ningbo, a spokeswoman for the Gwinnett chamber said.
“Asia represents the world’s fastest-growing, large economy and a significant growth market for the state of Georgia,” Nick Masino, senior vice president of economic development for the Gwinnett Chamber, said in a news release. “China and Korea are large export destinations for Gwinnett businesses, so our focus is on developing relationships to facilitate greater foreign direct investment, as well as trade and export opportunities for Gwinnett, Georgia and the United States.”
060217 – ATLANTA, GA Nick Masino, senior vice president for economic development with the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, will help lead a Gwinnett trade mission to China and Korea. (AJC File Photo 2006, BEN GRAY/AJC staff)
The Gwinnett delegation includes Masino, County Commissioner Jace Brooks, Norcross Mayor Bucky Johnson, Gwinnett chamber Director of Economic Development Andrew Carnes.
Stops include: Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Seoul.
June 3, 2015 Atlanta – Chris Carr, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, speaks during Atlanta Metro Export Plan launch event at Georgia Tech’s Centergy Square Building on Wednesday, June 3, 2015. Carr will lead a state delegation to China and Japan starting Saturday. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM
The state trip will depart on Saturday for Hong Kong and later travel to Shenzhen, Qingdao and Shanghai before moving to Japan with stops to Osaka and Tokyo. The group returns Sept. 4 to Atlanta.
The state mission includes state economic development Commissioner Chris Carr, Labor Commissioner Mark Butler, and representatives of Aflac, Coca-Cola, AGL Resources, the state Department of Driver Services and the Savannah Economic Development Authority.
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