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Gov. Christine Gregoire wraps up business in Japan, arrives in Beijing

For Immediate Release: September 22, 2005

BEIJING, CHINA � September 22, 2005 - Gov. Christine Gregoire arrived in China today on the second leg of her Asia trade mission to promote business and agricultural trade from Washington State.

Washington�s delegation, which includes business, agriculture and education leaders, started the day in Tokyo with an embassy briefing. �Missions like yours are absolutely vital,� Dan Berman, Minister-Counselor for Agriculture, told Gov. Gregoire and her delegation. �The Japanese appreciate relationships and they want to see who they are doing business with.�

Later in the morning, Gov. Gregoire participated in a contract signing ceremony between Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Washington�s largest technical college, and Tokyu Home Corporation. Bates will provide research on U.S. residential green construction, health-conscious materials and building trends and design. Bates will also develop and conduct training for Tokyu Home employees that will focus on North American construction techniques, customer service and other industry-related topics.

The governor also met with executives of Toray Corporation, an aerospace supplier based in Japan with growing operations in Washington State. Joining her were Juli Wilkerson, Director of the Department of Community Trade and Economic Development, Sen. Jim Kastama, Tim Farrell the executive director of the Port of Tacoma and Bruce Kendall, executive director of the Economic Development Board of Tacoma/Pierce County.

Toray Corporation America has had a facility in Frederickson in Pierce County since 1992. They provide composite materials for the Boeing 787 that are one-fourth the weight and 10 times the strength of previous generations of materials. They also export material out of the Port of Tacoma. Toray has expanded their operation several times, most recently instituting a $25 million expansion that will be completed by 2007, bringing Toray�s Washington operation to 270 employees. The president of Toray Corporation America, Mr. Moriyuki Onishi, flew from Pierce County to Japan for the meeting. The president and CEO of the Japan-based company, Mr. Sadayuki Sakakibara, also participated.

Both cited transportation and education as priority needs for continuing business success in Washington State. Currently Pierce College provides workforce training for Toray America.

Gov. Gregoire helped promote Washington agriculture by drawing the winner of a Northwest Cherries promotion that generated 48,000 entries for a chance to win a grand prize trip to Washington State to see the Mariners. Valoria Loveland, Director of the Department of Agriculture, joined the governor for the drawing. Both had conducted meetings earlier along with a number of delegation members at the Ministry of Forestry and Fisheries.

�The cherry promotion is an example of the type of cooperation with industry and retailers the Department of Agriculture does to promote Washington state agricultural products around the world,� said Loveland. �Cherries, for example, represent about $40 million in sales to Japan for Washington growers. Expanding agricultural sales contributes enormously to a strong economic future for Washington State.�

Washington Potato Commission representatives are on the governor�s trade mission and met with buyers and government officials in Japan to increase sales of potato products to Japan.

�The Japan leg of our trade mission was very productive and rewarding,� said Gov. Gregoire. �We are the third most trade dependent state in the nation, with one in three jobs in Washington dependent on trade. Japan is our largest trading partner and it was very important to meet face to face with Japanese government and business leaders to continue our relationships and pave the way for future expansion.�

Tomorrow in Beijing, Gov. Gregoire will meet with China�s General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine to discuss trade barriers to Washington�s agricultural products; meet with Chinese officials about opportunities for Washington businesses in preparation for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing; and participate in two contract signings.

The delegation is promoting Washington products, services and investment opportunities, with a focus on the aerospace and food processing industries, and raising the state's visibility as a premier tourism destination. They will also travel to Shanghai, China during the 11-day trip.

For more information on the trade mission please visit the governor's website:

http://www.governor.wa.gov/actions/trade/2005asia/default.htm

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