OFFICE OF GOVERNOR STEVE BULLOCK
HELENA – Montana Gov. Steve Bullock will lead an eight-day trade mission to China in the fall aiming to bring together leaders in business, education and government to focus on creating export opportunities for Montana businesses. The mission will take place Sept. 21-29 and include stops in Beijing, Shanghai, and Montana’s sister-state, Guangxi.
“This trade mission will build ties between Montana businesses and Chinese companies and investors, and expand opportunities for education and cultural exchanges,” said Bullock. “There is enormous potential to make an immediate and substantial impact to Montana’s economy by expanding our trade with China.”
Max Baucus, Montana’s former U.S. Senator and current U.S. Ambassador to China, has been focused on sustaining and growing the U.S.-China economic relationship.
“I was excited to learn that Governor Bullock will be leading a trade delegation to China,” Baucus said. “Expanding trade to China is a huge priority for me and my team at the U.S. Embassy.”
China is the world’s second largest trading nation behind the U.S., and is one of Montana’s fastest growing markets for exports. Currently Montana’s third largest trading partner, exports to China from the state have increased almost tenfold in the last decade.
“We are committed to helping Montana businesses pursue commercial opportunities abroad, and we are proactively working to increase our overall competitiveness in the global marketplace,” said Meg O’Leary, Director of the Montana Department of Commerce.
Montana is collaborating with the U.S. Commercial Service and U.S. Department of State to organize the mission. Participating businesses will have the opportunity to take advantage of trade facilitation services provided by the U.S. Commercial Service, which are designed to connect businesses with top-level Chinese corporate and government leaders in one-on-one business meetings. A full list of participating businesses will be announced mid-summer.
