MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle will lead a delegation of Wisconsin business and government leaders to China and Japan from September 7 to 18, 2007. The trade mission will provide participants with opportunities to meet with distributors, potential customers, and key business and government officials. The Governor will also promote investment by Japanese and Chinese companies in Wisconsin.
“This trade mission is a great opportunity for Wisconsin companies to meet the customers and business leaders that will help them build their sales in these important markets,” Governor Doyle said. “It’s a good thing if a Wisconsin company finds a strong partner in Japan or China, or creates jobs in Wisconsin through exports or sales operations in these countries.”
The mission will be in Tokyo from September 7 to 11, 2007 to coincide with the U.S. Midwest – Japan Conference, which promotes bilateral trade between the Midwest and Japan. Then, the mission will travel to Shanghai, Beijing, and Ningbo, China from September 12 to 18, 2007. Itinerary details are still being finalized.
China is Wisconsin’s fastest-growing export market and the third-largest export market overall, up from fourth-largest in 2005. For 2006, the state’s exports to China totaled $870 million, representing a 29 percent increase over 2005. Strong export commodities so far in 2006 include machinery, up 35 percent to $338 million; electrical machinery, up 48 percent to $121 million; and paper/paperboard up 80 percent to $12 million.
Japan is Wisconsin’s fourth-largest export market overall. For 2006, the state’s exports to Japan totaled $739 million, representing a 6 percent increase over 2005. Strong export commodities so far in 2006 include medical and scientific instruments, up 4 percent to $281 million, machinery, up 17 percent to $181 million, and electrical machinery, $60 million.
In 2004, Governor Doyle led a trade mission to Japan. He also led the largest-ever Wisconsin trade mission delegation to China, including stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, and Hong Kong.
In 2005, Governor Doyle led a delegation of Wisconsin business and government leaders on a trade mission to Mexico. He also headed a trade mission to Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland.
The Wisconsin Department of Commerce and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection are jointly coordinating the mission in partnership with the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce.
