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Miss. Governor Meets With Chinese Delegation

The Associated Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour told a Chinese delegation that even in an economic recession, there are trade opportunities between the state and its partners in the Far East.

Barbour on Thursday welcomed the delegation from Changzhou, Jintan County, and the Qishuyan District during a trade and investment forum in Jackson. State economic development, business and other political leaders attended the event.

About 30 Chinese delegates listened to Barbour say why Mississippi is a good trade partner. The Republican governor said the number of foreign companies that have recently decided to build plants in the state is proof.

"I would say to our friends from China that Mississippi's trade situation has grown considerable. Even in a recession, Mississippi saw export sales go up 16 percent in the last quarter compared to the same quarter last year," Barbour said. "We are a state that has had a long tradition of exporting, beginning with agricultural products decades and decades ago and now with very sophisticated manufactured goods."

Foreign companies that have recently built facilities in Mississippi include Japanese automakers Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Co., Russian-owned steel maker Severstal International and commercial trucks and parts producer Paccar Inc., he said.

In 2008, China became the state's third-largest trading partner, behind only Canada and Mexico, Barbour said.

"We are seeing our trade with China increase every year. About $400 million last year," he said.

State officials will also be making a significant announcement in the next few days concerning University of Southern Mississippi's Polymer Institute and its relationship with a "world major manufacturer," Barbour said.

The largest Chinese delegation was from Changzhou, a city of 3.5 million people south of Shanghai known for its textile, food processing, engineering and high technology industries.

Siva Yam, president of the U.S.-China Chamber Commerce, said Changzhou and Mississippi are growing business centers.

"My background is in investment," Yam said. "In investment ... you buy the stock when the stock is going up. You sell, when the stock is going down. Changzhou and Mississippi have the same opportunity. They are on the rise."

After Han Jiuyun, vice mayor of Changzhou, shared reasons for his city's growth, Qiao Hong, consulate general of the People's Republic of China in Houston, encouraged state business leaders to travel to Changzhou because "seeing is believing."

"To explore Changzhou by yourself you will enjoy an even better experience," Hong said.