In November, I will be embarking on my fifth consecutive trade mission to China. This trade mission is part of my administration's goal to be proactive in attracting international investment to Wayne County, and in being facilitators to Wayne County companies seeking to set up shop in China and elsewhere.
Our International Program Office, which is housed within
Wayne County's Economic Development Growth Engine (EDGE), is among the best in Michigan, and our China program area is second to none nationally. With the support of our partners at the
Detroit Regional Chamber, the
Detroit Chinese Business Association, and through TechTown's
TechBA program, we have established a strong network of organizations to expand our international business attraction efforts. We have also built strong networks with financial, legal, trade, and educational entities to help prospective businesses feel comfortable locating and operating in the United States.
During our upcoming trade mission from November 7th to the 15th, we will be visiting seven cities and provinces in China including Shanghai, Beijing, Wuzhong, and Chongqing. So far, we have recruited just under 20 individuals who will be joining me as we talk to industry leaders and government officials about how our County and China can work together to encourage greater economic cooperation and business investment.
Past trade missions have resulted in several investments in Wayne County, including the establishment of the
Detroit International Auto Salon (DIAS) in Allen Park. The DIAS reflects the entry of Chinese automakers in the U.S. market, a trend that may scare some domestic automakers but is unavoidable given the globalization of the auto industry. Wayne County was also able to secure a major investment by the Tempo Group in Canton to build an R&D center that will create up to 200 jobs.
Wayne County's connection to China and elsewhere in Asia is aided by our direct air connectivity to Shanghai in China and to Tokyo and Nagoya in Japan. Because of the curvature of the earth and our ability to fly closer to the North Pole, passengers and cargo carriers can reach destinations in China slightly faster by flying from Detroit. And just last week, Delta announced that it would soon offer direct service to Seoul, Korea and Hong Kong, China, further connecting our region to the growing Asian market.
And we are doing things here in Wayne County to prepare our citizens for the growing Chinese economy. Several of our school districts offer classes to learn to speak Chinese, and the
Plymouth-Canton School district has set up an exchange program with a top high school in Wuhan, China.
In the future, China is going to invest in the United States. It is up to us to make direct contact with leadership in China so that they invest in our area instead of elsewhere in the U.S.
The Detroit Region Aerotropolis and our
Foreign Trade Zone can both aid in attracting Chinese investment. On the other side of the coin, companies here, especially engineering companies, are able to produce products in Southeast Michigan and have them utilized in China. By establishing better relationships and streamlining the trade environment, Wayne County and Metro Detroit are positioned to become the premier location for future investment from China and elsewhere.
Robert A. Ficano is the Chief Executive Officer for Wayne County
Photo:
Delegation from Chongqing, China visits Wayne County in
August, 2009 -- James Wallace
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