Gov. Doyle: To travel to China to promote Wisconsin industry

Contact: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162

MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced he is traveling to China from September 24 through October 1, 2010 to promote Wisconsin industry and trade. Governor Doyle will promote Wisconsin businesses and hold high-level meetings with government and businesses leaders from Wisconsin and China in Beijing, Nanchang, Xi’an and Shanghai.

“Over the past seven and a half years, Wisconsin and China have grown tremendously as trade partners,” Governor Doyle said. “I look forward to personally meeting with leading Wisconsin companies and Chinese business and government leaders, as we forge relationships that will grow our economies for years to come.”

When Governor Doyle came into office, China was Wisconsin’s sixth largest trade partner with $417 million in exports. Today, China is the state’s third largest trade partner – behind only Canada and Mexico.

Over the coming days, Governor Doyle will attend the Central China Expo in Nanchang and highlight China and Wisconsin’s successful partnerships. On Monday, Governor Doyle will deliver remarks on the low carbon economy at the Central China Expo, at the invitation of Jiangxi Governor Wu Xinxiong. He will also address mayors from Central China and promote collaborations in areas including high-end manufacturing, medical equipment, agriculture, clean energy and the fresh water industry.

In addition, Governor Doyle will meet with Ambassador Huntsman, Amsoil, AO Smith, Harley-Davidson, and Anhui Governor Wang Sanyun, his counterpart on the Wisconsin/Anhui Water Working Group. The Governor will sign a trade and cooperation agreement with Governor Zhao Zhengyong of Shaanxi Province in Xi’an. Governor Doyle will also attend World Expo 2010 and promote ties with Wisconsin’s sister state, Heilongjiang.

During Governor Doyle’s visit, he will address specific issues facing Wisconsin businesses while forging relationships and building new partnerships that will help Wisconsin companies expand their export initiatives in China.

Governor Doyle has visited China four times as Governor including trips to Beijing, Harbin, Nanjing, Ningbo, Shanghai, Xi’an, and Hong Kong. In the last few years, Wisconsin has hosted delegations from Heilongjiang, Anhui and Shaanxi Provinces.

As a result of Governor Doyle’s previous trade missions and visits to China, the state has made great strides in getting Wisconsin’s high-quality products to China’s marketplace. Examples include growing Wisconsin’s ginseng exports, helping Harley-Davidson enter Chinese markets, bringing state-of-the-art TomoTherapy medical equipment to Chinese hospitals, and developing China’s infrastructure with equipment from TrafficCast technology and Oshkosh Truck.