Press Release September 18 2009

CleanTech Trade and Investment Mission to China a Success

World Trade Center Showcases San Diego as CleanTech Nexus

San Diego, CA - September 18, 2009 - New names, email addresses and business cards are still being filed away following the CleanTech Trade and Investment Mission to Hong Kong and China organized by the World Trade Center San Diego (WTC) from September 1-10, 2009.

The goal of the WTC CleanTech Trade Mission was to provide a forum where San Diego's economic development stakeholders and international community's market representatives could facilitate collaboration and identify potential environmental economic development opportunities for "sustainable" business development in the 21st century. Other objectives included identifying the need for specific projects, products and services that can strengthen economic development and expansion of trade in fields ranging from foreign trade zone development to agriculture, automotive manufacturing, and accounting and real estate services.  These goals were achieved!
 
Eleven business delegates, representing 10 companies, and one government official participated on the Mission and in the 2009 China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) in Xiamen. The mission was organized by the WTC in partnership with Team California, the San Diego Regional and the Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporations.

The highlight of the mission was the Showcase San Diego booth at the 13th Annual China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT), organized by China’s Ministry of Commerce on September 8-11. For a second consecutive year, the WTC designed and staffed the largest booth of the U.S.A. Pavilion, and promoted the region to 70,000 visitors from about 120 countries.  Mission delegate and President/CEO of the California Center for Sustainable Energy, Irene Stillings, was a speaker at CIFIT’s Invest in America Forum on California’s #1 Solar City - San Diego – and its efforts to promote change for a clean energy future.  An audience of 200 participated including Austin Lu, General Manager Southern China Region of GE, and Martin (Marty) Schoenbauer, Executive Director, Department Of Energy, U.S. Embassy – Beijing. “Although I can see from my first visit to China that it still has a ways to go, I was amazed by their commitment and strides they are making towards sustainability. I expect they’ll leapfrog technology whenever possible,” Stillings stated.  
The mission's first stop was Hong Kong where delegates were briefed by Hutchison Port Holdings on activities at the second largest port in the world.  The next meeting was hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the global marketing arm and service hub for Hong Kong-based manufacturers, traders and service exporters, with more than 40 offices around the world.  The U.S. Foreign Commercial Service in partnership with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Environment Bureau shared information on clean tech and sustainable energy developments in China. “China’s rapidly emerging clean technology sector is why it’s vital we bring the San Diego region to their attention. With its abundant natural resources such as wind, solar and water, San Diego provides the perfect climate for advancements in technology.” said Bella Heule, WTC President and CEO.
The delegates also traveled to Shenzhen in Guangdong province for an on-site tour of BYD Company Limited, which is China’s leading IT and Auto manufacturer specialized in rechargeable batteries, and employing 130,000. “I was excited to share information on why the CaliBaja Bi-National Mega-Region concept might provide a solution for BYD in their search to establish a U.S. operations base.” stated Christina Anne Luhn, Ph.D., Director Mega-Region Initiative, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation.
Companies participating on the mission included the California Center for Sustainable Energy; ITC Diligence, Inc.; Hutchinson and Bloodgood, LLP; McMillin Realty, Inc.; International Environmental Solutions; DDH Enterprise; San Diego Regional EDC; Imperial Valley EDC; and the Imperial Valley Joint Chamber of Commerce.
The government official participating on the mission was Imperial County Supervisor Gary Wyatt.

Sponsors of the trade mission and CIFIT trade show booth included Air China, Cathay Pacific Airways, County of San Diego, DDH Enterprise, Harley-Davidson Asia, ITC Diligence, San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp., and Sigma International. Funding received helped keep the participation fee affordable.
From all accounts, the mission was a great success. Several of the business delegates anticipate sales or investment in the future as a result of contacts made, and community and government leaders on both sides now have a better understanding of the China and San Diego markets, and their impact in the global marketplace.

To learn more about the trade mission please contact Scott Wang at (619) 615-0868 ext. 118

The CIFIT Trade Fair:
The China International Fair for Investment and Trade, organized by China’s Ministry of Commerce, is the largest international fair for investment and trade with China. Major components of CIFIT include exhibits, forums and seminars on bi-lateral investment and trade, and project matchmaking symposia.

About Asia Desk
Asia Desk, a WTC program, is dedicated to creating opportunities and assists small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) in San Diego County to enter into or expand their trade and commerce with 24 Asian Markets.

About World Trade Center San Diego (WTC):
World Trade Center San Diego (WTC) is a non-profit trade association that provides comprehensive international trade services and key global contacts to facilitate and expand trade for regional worldwide clients. Leveraging its global network of World Trade Centers and affiliate partners, WTC is the proven forum for international information, communications and connections. WTC is licensed by the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) in New York City and is affiliated with an international network of over 750,000 international members and patrons. For more information please visit us at www.sdwtc.org.

Reb Risty
Director, Marketing & Programs
619.615.0868
rristy@wtcsd.org