Commissioner Hagerty to Lead Trade Mission to China and South Korea
Trade Mission Focusing on Medical Device Manufacturers, Applications Due Feb. 1
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development announced today that Commissioner Bill Hagerty will lead ECD’s trade mission to China and South Korea April 15-21, 2012 that will focus on Tennessee’s medical device manufacturers and other health care companies. Applications are available at tn.gov/ecd/tntrade/trademission, along with a video explaining the trade mission. The deadline for companies to apply is Feb. 1. The trade mission is part of the recently announced TNTrade, a new initiative designed to help boost exports by Tennessee’s small- and medium-sized businesses.
“Last year, Tennessee exported roughly $30 billion dollars in goods; however, fewer than two percent of all Tennessee companies are exporters,” Hagerty said. “This trade mission will allow participants to be introduced to potential distributors and customers in the rapidly growing Asian market and explore new sources of revenue.”
Hagerty will lead a group of approximately 10 medical device manufacturers and other health care companies on visits to Beijing and Shenzhen in China and Seoul, South Korea. Participants will attend meetings arranged by the U.S. Commercial Service as well as attend the China International Medical Equipment Fair, the largest exhibition of medical equipment and related products and services in the Asia-Pacific region.
Participants will be provided with lodging, ground and air transportation, interpreters and meetings during the trade mission. Companies selected to go on the trade mission must arrange and purchase their own airfare to and from Asia.
TNTrade is a statewide initiative intended to support Governor Haslam's goal of making Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The program is funded through a U.S. Small Business Administration State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) grant.
For more information or to download an application, visit tn.gov/ecd/tntrade/trademission.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. To find out more, go to www.tn.gov/ecd.
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Media Contact: Shannon Sumrall, ECD
Office: (615) 253-4897
E-mail: shannon.sumrall@tn.gov