Los Angeles County Embarks On Landmark Trade Mission To China

Los Angeles, CA(prweb) September 22, 2008 -- Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich will lead a trade mission to China supported by the World Trade Center Association Los Angeles-Long Beach and the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC).

To encourage direct investment from China to Los Angeles County, the delegation will be in Shanghai, Beijing, Tianjin, and Dalian from September 21-30, 2008, and will participate in the World Economic Forum's New Champions meeting in Tianjin.

The itinerary includes "invest in Los Angeles County" conferences and meetings with Chinese companies in the following industries: Motor Vehicles and Accessories; Computer and Telecommunications; Utilities and Utility Equipment; Metals and Metal Products; and Transportation and Logistics.

The delegation is also meeting with companies interested in a logistics hub, research and development or design center, and headquarters or representative offices for marketing in Los Angeles County.

"Los Angeles County is the gateway to the North American market," said Supervisor Antonovich. "Our two ports handle approximately $200 billion in trade with China annually. With 244,000 business establishments, 38,000 Asian-owned businesses and more than 400,000 Chinese residents, Los Angeles County welcomes Chinese investment."

"This is an unprecedented opportunity to promote business investment from China to Los Angeles County," said Vance Baugham, president of the World Trade Center Association Los Angeles - Long Beach. "This mission is designed to harness a key portion of the extraordinary growth that is happening in China now."

"Los Angeles County is home to more than 4,500 foreign-owned businesses," said Bill Allen, president and CEO of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. "Foreign direct investment creates jobs for more than 359,000 workers in L.A. County which represents nearly 10 percent of all private-sector workers in the County. Our mission is designed to attract more investment to create more such jobs in our region"

About the WTCA (www.wtca-lalb.org)

The World Trade Center Association Los Angeles - Long Beach works to support the development of international trade and business opportunities for Southern California companies as the leading international trade association, trade service organization and trade resource in Los Angeles County. It also promotes the Los Angeles region as a destination for foreign investment. The World Trade Center Association LA - Long Beach is a subsidiary of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please visit www.wtca-lalb.org or call +1 (213) 680-1888 or +1 (562) 495-6075.

About LAEDC (www.LAEDC.org)

LAEDC, the region's premier business leadership organization, is a private, non-profit organization established in 1981 under section 501(C) (3). Its mission is to attract, retain, and grow business and jobs for the regions of Los Angeles County. Since 1996, the LAEDC has helped retain or attract more than 145,000 jobs, providing $6.3 billion in direct economic impact from salaries and $105 million in annual tax revenue benefit to local governments and education in Los Angeles County. Visit www.laedc.org or call (888) 4-LAEDC-1.

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