Four days into a trade mission to China, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, wife Tonnette and an entourage of Wisconsin business executives and state officials have met the Chinese president, cemented a couple of business deals and posed with thumbs up at the opening of a new Harley-Davidson dealership in Tianjin.
The eight-day trip aims to explore export and investment opportunities and foster relationships for Wisconsin businesses. It includes meetings in Beijing, Shanghai, and Harbin.
"This trade mission will strengthen our relationship with the country, build trade ties between Wisconsin firms and Chinese businesses and investors, and reinforce the strong position the Wisconsin has in the global marketplace," Walker said before departing Saturday.
Forty-two people are participating, including 13 business delegates and 17 government delegates and 12 people representing Wisconsin businesses traveling on their own or are in-country taking part in a specific event during the trip.
Companies include areas of advanced manufacturing, environmental and water remediation, clean energy, and food processing and safety sectors. The delegation also includes members of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP).
China is an important and viable market for key Wisconsin exports including industrial machinery, medical equipment, clean energy and clean water technologies, and agricultural products. China is Wisconsin's third largest export market. In 2012, exports to China increased by 11.8 percent to $1.5 billion, according to a press release issued by Walker's administration ahead of the departure.
"China's economic growth holds great promise for Wisconsin agriculture, and this trip will give us the opportunity to explore partnerships for Wisconsin agricultural products, services, and technology," said Ben Brancel, Secretary of DATCP.
On stops in three major cities, Walker planned to visit some Wisconsin businesses already operating in China. In Beijing, the Governor Walker's focus will be to further Wisconsin's reputation as a world leader in environmental and water remediation technologies and services. In Harbin, the delegation will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Wisconsin-Heilongjiang Sister-State relationship and highlight agricultural exports.
On Monday, Walker participated in the China-US Governors Forum in Beijing, meeting President Xi Jinping.
Walker joined Gov. Terry Branstad (IA), Governor Calvo (Guam), and Governor McDonnell (VA)as the first elected officials from the United States to meet China's new President.
Among other business, the Wisconsin delegation is working to convince a large Chinese energy firm to expand its business in Wisconsin. SmartBurn is one of Wisconsin's leading clean energy consulting companies, providing engineering and consulting services.
In order to grow its business and hire more people, SmartBurn is discussing potential collaborations with Guodian Technology & Environment Group Corporation Limited (GDTE) a subsidiary of China Guodian Corporation.
The transaction is still under discussion and no final agreement has been reached. A memorandum of understanding signed during the mission will simply demonstrate the parties' desire for future cooperation.
SmartBurn has been actively developing business in China since mid-2011. To date, SmartBurn brought about $1 million in revenue from China to Madison, mainly through their technical consulting services. One of SmartBurn's key clients in China is Yantai Longyuan Power Technologies Ltd. Co., a GDTE company. Yantai Longyuan Power Technologies also worked with SmartBurn on a major project in the United States last year.
The SmartBurn® group was created about 15 years ago by American utility company, Alliant Energy, to improve power plant performance in order to compete successfully in deregulated power markets. SmartBurn helped reduce emissions, improved generating performance, and reduced costs for over 75 boilers with a total nameplate capacity of over 28,000 MW owned by 18 companies in the U.S., along with over 12 different boilers in China and Saudi Arabia.
Earlier Monday, Walker announced the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin signed an agreement with a Chinese medicine company to use the Trademark Seal on their purchases of Wisconsin ginseng from the Ginseng & Herb Coop over the next ten years. The agreement was signed between the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin, the Ginseng & Herb Coop, and the Beijing medicine company, Tong Ren Tang (TRT) Health Pharmaceutical.
Wisconsin produces virtually 100 percent of all cultivated American Ginseng in the United States.
The Ginseng Board of Wisconsin brand is registered in several Asian countries, including China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
"This is an industry-first to have an 'exclusive' brand use relationship with a high-end distributor in China," said Butch Weege, International Marketing Director with the Ginseng Board of Wisconsin. "Our current relationship has had a significant impact on prices being paid for Wisconsin Ginseng and has helped returned profitability to this industry in Wisconsin."
The group's remaining itinerary includes:
Wednesday, April 17
Wisconsin-Heilongjiang Sister State 30th Anniversary Celebration Event
Harbin -Shanghai, China
Thursday, April 18
Official Opening of the Wisconsin China Center
Individual Business Meetings in Shanghai
Shanghai, China
Friday, April 19
Individual Business Meetings in Shanghai
Saturday, April 20
Shanghai Dairy Group/Dingniu Demo Farm Tour
Individual Business Meetings in Shanghai
Ashley Furniture Retail Store Visit
Governmental & Business Meetings
Harley-Davidson Reception -110th Anniversary (Shanghai Harley-Davidson Dealer)
Sunday, April 21
Delegation Departs
