01/11/2005

CMS Chief Executive Accompanies Minnesota Governor to China on Landmark Trade Mission
James V. Romano, CEO of China Market Services, Inc. joins Assistant U.S. Commerce Secretary Al Frink, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, and company representatives from Minnesota’s key companies on Minnesota’s China Trade mission to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong from November 11-19, 2005.

This landmark trip is Minnesota’s most ambitious state trade mission in history, and it is believed to be the largest ever state trade mission to China.

Romano accompanies nearly 200 delegates representing Minnesota’s medical, information technology, food and agriculture, environmental technology, steel and mining, renewable energy, and education industries. Some delegates are on their first fact finding trip to China, others are experienced in China business and are looking for new business connections.

The importance of understanding how to successfully approach business with China is unquestionable. “The U.S. manufacturers who are winning in today’s economy are exporting,” said Assistant Secretary Frink, the nation’s top manufacturing official. “Nearly one-fifth of all Minnesota manufacturing jobs depend on exports and China presents an opportunity to break into one of the fastest-growing consumer markets in the world.” China represents Minnesota’s fourth largest export market, with manufactured exports to China having grown by more than 100% since 1997.