PrintPrintState Sens. Yancey McGill, D-Kingstree, and Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, will travel to Japan later this month to represent the North Eastern Strategic Alliance and South Carolina at the 33rd Annual Joint Meeting of the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association and Southeast U.S./Japan Association.
Staff Report
Published Oct. 13, 2009
State Sens. Yancey McGill, D-Kingstree, and Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence, will travel to Japan later this month to represent the North Eastern Strategic Alliance and South Carolina at the 33rd Annual Joint Meeting of the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association and Southeast U.S./Japan Association.
McGill, the chairman of the alliance, which is the economic development organization for northeast South Carolina, said the purpose of the trip is to continue to build relationships with East Asian companies doing business in South Carolina and to seek potential business partners for the alliance region and for the state.
“We will inform the companies we meet with of opportunities in the state and region and work to uncover growth trends and business initiatives emerging within East Asia,” McGill said in a statement. “We continue to press ahead in our efforts to bring jobs to our communities.”
More than 25 Japanese companies already have a presence in the alliance region, including AVX, Firestone, Metglas, Highland Industries-Takata and Honda.
“There are many Japanese companies whose investments in the NESA region provide jobs to our citizens,” Leatherman said. “This trip is an effort to let them know we appreciate their business and encourage them to increase their presence here.”
The delegation will meet with other business leaders throughout Japan. The members also plan to visit China in an effort to discuss business opportunities with targeted organizations.
“Chinese investment is another opportunity we must explore if we are to continue our economic development success,” Leatherman said. “As a part of our trip to East Asia, we are going to ensure that Chinese companies are familiar with the advantages associated with investing in our region. I firmly believe that companies around the world know need to know that NESA’s nine member counties are open for business.”
Leatherman plans to provide updates during the trip on Facebook and Twitter. You can access this information through his Web site.
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