Business & Tech

McDonnell Promises Increased Trade With Asia

Governor to conclude 11-day marketing mission Tuesday

Gov. Bob McDonnell promised a number of agreements on trade Monday that would come out of his economic development trip to Asia.

"The promise and opportunity for trade and cultural exchange with Virginia are enormous," McDonnell said Monday in a telephone press conference from Korea.

McDonnell (R) said he expected six or more agreements to be drafted concerning Virginia exporting seafood, leaf tobacco, soy beans, wine and pork to Asian nations.

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He also said he signed an agreement that will bring 200 to 300 objects from Beijing's Palace Museum to Virginia in 2014. Virginia items will appear in the Palace Museum, which has more than 13 million visitors a year, he said.

The trip cost $278,000 and financed from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, using taxpayer funds, said Jeff Caldwell, a McDonnell spokesman, via email.

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The trip exposed Virginia to companies like Samsung and LG Enterprises who might not think of Virginia for its port activity or advanced manufacturing, McDonnell said.

The trip drew praise from Del. Mark Keam (D-35th District).

"As an Asian-American myself, I've always thought globalization is something we should welcome and doing trade beyond our borders helps America and other nations," he said.

Keam said it was important for McDonnell and his administration to focus on building international trade. Last summer, the governor led a trade mission to Europe.

"Asia is clearly a growing market for us," he said.

McDonnell told reporters he expected to return to his office in Richmond by Tuesday.

His 11-day marketing mission has included stops in Japan, China and South Korea. Joining the governor are Trade Secretary Jim Cheng, Agriculture Secretary Todd Haymore, and senior officials with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Virginia Tourism Corp.

During the trip, McDonnell met with South Korean President Myung-Bak Lee. Lee lived in Fairfax County for 1 1/2 years while he was a visiting fellow at George Washington University in the late 1990s.


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