Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - November 23, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Washington maintains popularity in Asian markets

OLYMPIA - Despite the economic downturn in Asia, Gov. Gary Locke said Washington products and services continue to hold their popularity in Asian markets.

The governor said Washington businesses are seeing the results of his two trade missions to Asia. Several international companies now view the state as potential sites for expanding operations into the United States, and Washington companies are making sales to overseas buyers.

"These trips are designed to open doors between governments so that business relationships can grow," Locke said. "Every visit is an opportunity to promote Washington products and services."

The governor said the state continues to be a safe harbor for foreign investors. While some Asian economies struggle, Washington represents a solid and secure commercial opportunity for companies' growth, expansion and investment.

Locke has led two separate international trade missions to Asia. In October 1997, Locke led a delegation to Tokyo, Japan and to mainland China, visiting President Jiang Zemin and other high-ranking government officials. Discussions centered on the need for access to markets in China. During July 1998, Locke traveled to Kobe, Japan and to Taipei, Taiwan to meet with officials and to host a seminar to educate investors about the advantages of investing in Washington.

Also during the Japan mission this year, Washington Department of Agriculture Director Jim Jesernig met with the organizers of Flora 2000, a six-month international exhibit of nursery plants set for the year 2000 in Kobe. Certain import restrictions make it difficult to get Washington plants into Japan. Jesernig continues to work with Japanese officials to use Flora 2000 as a tool to get Washington displays into the event.

While accompanying the governor in Taiwan, representatives of NeoPath, a medical equipment company based in Redmond, generated $800,000 in sales for a new cancer-screening device. Swedish Hospital in Seattle also began a partnership with the Koo Foundation Sun Yat-sen Cancer Research Center near Taipei. Health Information Institute, a health information management tracking company based in Bellevue, continues to follow up on business contacts made in Taiwan.

The governor also visited Starbucks coffee shops in Tokyo and in Taipei and visited a Costco facility in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, helping to raise awareness among consumers about Washington-based companies and products.

As a result of the two investment seminars in Taiwan, the state has received requests for more information from 18 different companies interested in learning more about Washington business opportunities and tax structure. Of those firms, eight companies have expressed an interest in visiting Washington to learn more about locating facilities in the state. These companies range from bio-technology firms to food processing and electronics businesses.

To promote agriculture while in Taiwan, Locke participated in "American Frenzy," a campaign to promote Washington cherries at the Far Eastern Department Store in Taipei that resulted in significant interest in Washington cherries and apples. Taiwan became the top purchaser of Washington cherries, buying $23 million in cherries this year. The state's agricultural trade representative in Taipei said many importers have inquired about Washington food and agriculture products as a result of Locke's trade mission.

Since Locke's visit, Japanese importers have expressed great interest in Washington wine, and Japanese buyers have purchased nearly $2 million in fresh asparagus.

"Washington remains a viable investment opportunity for companies worldwide," Locke said. "The more we can educate others about the great attractions we have to offer here in Washington, the stronger we become as a player in the global marketplace."

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