Manufacturing Firms To Join DOC Secretary On China Trip

Commerce Secretary Gutierrez announced Wednesday the business leaders who will participate in his Business Development Mission to Beijing and Shanghai, China, in November. Several manufacturing companies are included in the delegation.

Mission participants will meet with key government officials, business leaders and potential business partners. The mission will review policy and commercial issues that U.S. companies face in the Chinese market, such as intellectual property rights protection.

"China is already America's fourth largest export market, and it is still one of the fastest-growing markets for U.S. goods and services," Gutierrez said. "The business leaders on this trade mission come from a broad cross-section of U.S. businesses. As they learn more about how to seize new opportunities in China, they will be able to expand their businesses and create more American jobs."

The goal of the mission is to help U.S. firms expand their exports to China, as well as helping U.S. companies already operating in China to increase their current level of exports.

Total U.S. exports to China in 2005 were $41.8 billion, an increase of 20.5 percent over 2004. Through July 2006, U.S. exports have grown 35.7 percent over the same period last year.

"Huge opportunities exist in China, but so do some major challenges," Gutierrez said. "This mission is designed to help U.S. companies to identify the opportunities and address the challenges."

Manufacturing firms participating in the development mission include Behlen Manufacturing, Eaton Corp., Altec Inc. and Timken Co.

More information on the China mission can be found by clicking here.