Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce will lead a delegation of 30 business leaders to China. The delegation will visit Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Wuhan from Sept. 5-13, 2006.
“The trip to China is a great opportunity to promote Atlanta as a suitable investment destination for Chinese companies,” said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. “The delegation will meet with key government and business leaders in China to also promote the interests of Atlanta-headquarter companies conducting business there.”
Numerous Georgia companies have operations in China, including UPS, GE Energy and Delta Air Lines, which is advocating Chinese and U.S. government officials for new direct service from Atlanta to China.
“Relations with China continue to grow, and this trip is a great opportunity to highlight metro Atlanta and the state,” said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “Metro Atlanta will serve as a model for the upcoming 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, is in the heart of the nation’s fastest growing region, maintains a low cost of doing business and has access to the world through our international airport.”
Georgia was China’s sixth-largest export destination in 2005, with exports to China totaling $979 million, an increase of 482 percent since 1998. In 2004 more than $9.9 billion in goods were imported from China through the Savannah Customs District. Imports from China to Georgia have increased 456 percent since 1998.
Trade to and from China flowing to Georgia through Atlanta, Brunswick and Savannah totaled $12.1 billion in 2005, ranking Georgia as the sixth-largest port in the U. S. for imports and exports with China, and the second largest port on the East Coast. According to the Georgia Ports Authority, China and Hong Kong accounted for more than 40 percent of its 2005 trade.
China Trip Sponsors:
Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan, LLC
IBM
UPS
Intercontinental Hotel Groups
Jones Day
Portman Holdings
ING
Troutman Sanders
China Trip Attendees:
City of Atlanta
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Chamber
Georgia State Senate
Atlanta City Council
Troutman Sanders, LLP
Georgia Power Company
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
SunTrust Bank
National Association of Chinese Americans
Delta Air Lines
Atlanta Regional Commission
Kennesaw State University
TVS & Associates
Womble, Carlyle Sandridge & Rice
Reece & Associates
University of Georgia
###
For more information about this and services of the City of Atlanta visit our website at www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26