Governor Gregoire to Promote Washington Products in Korea and Taiwan

For Immediate Release: October 10, 2006

SEATTLE � Governor Chris Gregoire departs Friday, October 13, on a seven-day mission to promote Washington products and services in Seoul and Jeonju, South Korea, and Taipei, Taiwan. Governor Gregoire will lead a delegation of Washington business, agriculture and education representatives to these two important markets to strengthen trade relations. The delegation will also work to promote tourism, increase foreign investment and build on educational and cultural relations with South Korea and Taiwan.

�Our state is the most trade dependent state in the nation and as we move forward to the next Washington, international trade will be more important to our continued success,� said Governor Gregoire. �Promoting our quality Washington products and services through overseas trade missions is an important and effective way to build upon our global competitiveness.�

The goals of this mission directly address Governor Gregoire�s The Next Washington economic plan to enhance the ability of Washington to compete in the global marketplace.

Governor Gregoire in Korea will advocate lower tariffs for Washington products under the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement that is currently under negotiation by the U.S. Trade Representative and the Republic of Korea Trade Minister.

Members of the delegation from Washington universities and colleges will sign in Seoul collaborative agreements with Asian education institutions to provide global learning opportunities for Washington students.

The agriculture delegation will promote a variety of Washington products, including wine, beef, potatoes, apples, pears and processed foods, through in-store and restaurant promotions and receptions. Korean companies in 2005 purchased $325 million in food and agricultural products from Washington.

Governor Gregoire in Taiwan will promote Washington wine, potatoes, apples and other foods through several restaurant promotions. Taiwan is Washington�s third largest agricultural export market. More than $830 million in apples, cherries, potatoes, wheat, wine and processed foods were exported to Taiwan in 2005.

In addition to lower tariffs on agricultural products, the delegation will advocate in both markets about better access for Washington's apples, pears, potatoes and other food products.

Washington tourism industry members will hear from local experts about consumer travel trends and learn ways to promote Washington destinations to travelers from the lucrative markets of Korea and Taiwan.

The education delegation in Taipei will participate in education seminars, networking meetings and the Oh America Education Fair.

Previous missions to Asia, Europe, Australia and New Zealand led by Governor Gregoire have resulted in millions of dollars in sales for Washington farmers and businesses.

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