Governor Markell headed to Asia

Markell will visit Taiwan and Mainland China in an effort to expand the state’s export markets and encourage Chinese investment in Delaware.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell will leave for Taiwan and China on Sunday as part of an effort to expand the state’s export markets and attract new investors and manufacturers to the First State.  China is already Delaware’s fourth largest export market.  In 2009, Delaware poultry producers sent nearly $43 million worth of chicken products to Mainland China, an 80% increase from the amount of chicken exported from Delaware to China in 2005.

In addition to getting Delaware products into Chinese markets, the trade trip is also a chance for the governor to encourage Asian companies to expand into the U.S. via Delaware.  Markell says, “Many Asian companies are exploring opportunities to set up manufacturing operations in North America.  We want them to decide that Delaware is the best place to start and grow their business – and employ Delawareans.”

Delaware’s Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock, Director of International Trade and Development John Pastor, and Markell’s advisor Felicia Pullam will travel with the Governor.  Bullock will visit Hong Kong and Tokyo to tout Delaware’s financial and legal services to the leading banking centers in Asia.  Bullock says, “Our exports to China, including poultry and a variety of manufactured goods, have been growing rapidly.  The number of new companies created in the region is exploding, so we need to market our advantage as the premier destination for U.S. legal incorporations to the people who need our services.”

Markell will return on November 14.