By
Associated Press
.
Published: Thu, April 03, 2008 - 2:48 pm
Last Updated: Thu, April 03, 2008 - 2:58 pm
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Governor Bob Riley heads a statedelegation going to China tomorrow in a bid to boost trade, citing
a surge in Alabama exports to that country over the past decade.
Companies that make and sell a wide range of products, from
high-tech chemicals to NASCAR merchandise, are represented among
the 60-member state delegation that also includes tourism officials
and educators.
Officials said the primary goal of the weeklong trip is to help
Alabama companies tap into the disposable income of a swelling
middle class and other economic opportunities in China.
Mainland China is now the third most popular destination for
Alabama exports, with $808.5 million last year. Top exports include
chemicals, scrap, machinery and processed food.
Meanwhile, imports to the state from China topped $647 million,
putting two-way trade at $1.5 billion.
Besides trade, the China trip will include a tourism component.
First lady Patsy Riley and state tourism officials will focus on
ways to capitalize on Delta Air Lines' new nonstop flight between
Atlanta and Shanghai and draw Chinese visitors to Alabama.
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