Gov. Gregoire, trade delegation reach agreement to expand life sciences collaboration

For Immediate Release: September 16, 2010

BEIJING, CHINA � Gov. Chris Gregoire on Thursday continued her 11-day trade mission in Asia, highlighting a strengthened partnership between the life sciences sectors in Washington state and Asia.

�I�m proud of the work and leadership of Washington state�s life sciences community,� Gregoire said. �We have some of the top researchers in the world that are not only creating a healthier state, but a healthier world. By collaborating with our counterparts in China � we increase our resources, expand our research capabilities, and ultimately create new opportunities for both Washington state and Asia.�

Gregoire witnessed on Thursday as the Washington Biotechnology and Biomedical Association signed a memorandum of understanding with the Beijing Pharmaceutical Profession Association that promotes bilateral cooperation and development in the biotechnological and biomedical field.

"Today's MOU signing is a momentous event for Washington's life science industry,� said Chris Rivera, president of the Washington Biotechnology & Biomedical Association. �The MOU, which focuses on investment, partnering and research collaboration will help to accelerate the emerging relationships between Washington and China's biotech and biomedical industry. Life sciences in Washington is already one of the state's fastest growing job sectors. There is tremendous opportunity for our companies and research organizations to make inroads into the world�s fastest growing health care markets, which is also investing billions of dollars into biotech and biomedical research, development and commercialization"

Across Washington state, 72 cities host life science companies and research companies � which create 22,000 jobs directly linked to life sciences, and 55,000 connected to the industry. A typical life sciences job pays twice the average salary in Washington state.

Also on Thursday, Gregoire met with the Aviation Industries of China to promote the state�s aerospace industry as an excellent source of aerospace products, equipment and support as China expands its fleet of airplanes. China is the world�s second largest aviation market, after the United States.

"While the whole world knows the name Boeing, there are hundreds of other aerospace companies that call Washington home,� said Mark Calhoon, senior managing director for the International Trade and Economic Development Division with the Washington State Department of Commerce. �China is the fastest growing aviation market in the world, and we know our expertise in manufacturing, logistics and other fields are highly marketable here in Asia."

While Gregoire and most of the trade delegation wrapped up their second day in Beijing, Agriculture Director Dan Newhouse and a small group of agriculture leaders stopped in Gaungzhou, China, the center for wholesaling and distribution of imported foods. The group used the visit to promote Washington grown products and establish new relationships with importers.

"Just three years ago, we sold less than a million dollars worth of cherries in China,� said Newhouse. �This year, after establishing the right relationships and securing access for our fruit, we sold 14 million dollars worth. This mission we're working to repeat that success story with pears and fresh potatoes."