News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 20, 1998
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke heads to Asia to promote Washington opportunities

OLYMPIA - Washington agricultural products, high-technology manufacturing and tourism will be in the spotlight as Gov. Gary Locke promotes Washington trade and business opportunities during an eight-day trade mission to Japan and Taiwan July 22 - 30.

"This trade mission to Japan and Taiwan will help to cement and reinforce our strong economic and cultural relationship between us," Locke said. "For overseas businesses looking to invest in their future development, Washington presents a competitive advantage that can help them improve the prospects of their success."

During a three-day stop in Kobe, Japan, the governor will focus on agriculture exports and high technology in Washington's top export market. In 1997, $6.7 billion, or 19 percent, of all Washington state-of-origin exports were destined for Japan.

In Taiwan, historically the state's second-largest market for agricultural exports, the governor will emphasize farm product trade barriers, as well as tourism promotion and Taiwanese business investment in Washington. Locke will be joined by state business representatives and various state agency directors as they present investment seminars in Taipei and Kaohsiung to help companies interested in Washington.

Also accompanying the governor as part of the trade mission will be Team Washington, a group of 47 representatives of Washington corporations, educational institutions, port commissions and private citizens.

Leaving Sea-Tac July 22, Locke will open his busy schedule in Japan with a briefing with U.S. Consul General Frederic Maerkle and then meet with Hyogo Prefecture Governor Toshitami Kaihara in Kobe. He will promote Washington business operations in the country with a visit to an Eddie Bauer store on Harbor Island.

Attention will turn to agriculture export issues as Locke meets with Washington fruit importers and retailers for lunch. He will then visit a sweet-cherry retail promotion at Daiei Department Store in Sannomiya.

Japan is Washington's largest cherry export market, with the country, on average, importing a half-million 20-pound boxes a year.

Next stop will be the Phoenix Earthquake Recovery Center, which commemorates the 1995 disaster in Kobe that drew strong assistance response from Washington companies and individuals. Following tours of the Imported Housing Center and the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge Science Center, Locke will conclude the day at a dinner hosted by Vice Gov. Ido.

Saturday will be devoted to high-technology. Following a visit to the Himeji Castle, the governor will tour the Harima Science Garden City. He will conclude his Kobe activities with dinner with Gov. Kaihara.

Arriving in Taiwan Sunday afternoon, Locke will tour the National Palace Museum and then attend a reception hosted by the Council for Cultural Affairs, followed by a meeting with the director Helen Chen-Chi Lin. Dinner that evening will be with Morris Chang, chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor, whose investment is expected to top $1 billion in a high-tech plant in Camas, Wash.

Monday, July 27, will start with an economic and political briefing at the American Institute, with Locke then giving welcoming remarks at a symposium on "Technologic Advancements Leading to Enhancements in Women's Healthcare." A meeting with Premier Vincent Siew will follow.

The governor then will host a luncheon with Taiwanese tour operators, travel agents and airline representatives to promote Washington as a tourism destination. Attending with Locke will be representatives of the Washington State Tourism Office.

The first of two Washington Investment Seminars is set for 2:30 p.m. with information targeted at Taiwan businesses interested in investing in Washington. Speakers will include Tim Douglas, director of the Washington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development; talking about state assistance programs; Fred Kiga, director of the Washington Department of Revenue, tax issues; William H. Gates, Washington Technology Alliance Chairman, technology issues; and Marcus Woo of Perkins Coie and George Liu of Preston, Gates and Ellis, legal issues.

Receptions to give the governor, panel and Team Washington members an opportunity for interchange with the participants will follow.

Locke will spend much of Tuesday pushing to expand agriculture sales to Taiwan. Major agriculture export products from Washington to Taiwan that totaled $878 million in 1997 include cherries, apples, wheat, onions, seafood, sweet corn and processed foods.

Following a Team Washington breakfast and tour of the Washington State Trade Office, Locke will discuss the apple issue with Peng, Tso-kwei , chairman of the Council of Agriculture, and Chen Tso-chen , director general, Bureau of Commodity, Inspection and Quarantine, Ministry of Economic Affairs. He then will meet with Dr. Jason Hu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, for lunch.

During the afternoon, Locke will have an opportunity to view Taiwanese retail operations in a tour of the Far Eastern Department Store and then visit a Starbuck's store currently under construction in downtown Taipei.

A meeting with President Lee Teng-hui will follow at 3:30 p.m. with media availability following on the grounds outside the President's office. Discussions on the apple issue will then continue with Jan De-ho, Director General of Customs, Ministry of Finance. The day will conclude with a Ministry of Education reception.

The governor then travels on Wednesday, July 29, to Kaohsiung in the southern part of the country. Following an early morning flight, Locke will visit that city's Costco store and then meet for lunch with Wu Den-yih, Kaohsiung mayor. The second Washington Investment Seminar will follow at the Linden Hotel. After a press conference and reception, the Washington group will return to Taipei.

The final day in Taiwan will open with Locke touring the Koo Foundation Sun Yat-sen Cancer Research Center. He will meet again with Morris Chang for lunch and then tour Taiwan Semiconductor's facilities and the Hsinchu Science Center. A tour of a bilingual high school in Hsinchu is the final scheduled event before departure at 4 p.m.

The governor and Team Washington are scheduled to arrive at Sea-Tac International Airport at 1:55 p.m. Thursday, July 30, with a press conference scheduled there for 3 p.m.

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