By SCBIZ Staff

The S.C. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Commercial Service are planning a trade mission to China Nov. 1-11. The mission will provide opportunities for South Carolina businesses, state and local officials and economic development organizations interested in developing export markets. 

This mission is designed to raise the profile of South Carolina among Chinese government and business leaders and will include opportunities for meetings with the country’s elected officials and insight as to how China and its municipalities address economic development initiatives. 

China was South Carolina’s most impressive export growth market in 2006. Exports to China rose 12.5% to more than $869 million and jumped one notch to become the state’s fourth largest export destination. The state’s exports to China rapidly approached $1 billion in 2006.

The trade mission will include visits to four cities: Chongqing, Tianjin, Shanghai and Beijing. Chongqing, China’s largest and fastest developing city with more than 30 million people, is home to operations centers for American corporations such as Ford, Cummins and Briggs & Stratton. Tianjin, the largest port in northern China located 75 miles east of Beijing, purchased $26 billion in goods from the world in 2005. 

Client screening for participation in the fall mission is under way. The registration deadline for economic developers and state and local officials is Sept. 25 and space is limited. For details and registration, visit www.SCcommerce.com/ChinaMission.