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ONTARIO - 12/01/03 - A group of Southern California manufacturers and suppliers increased their international export potential by participating in a 10-day exhibition, trade and economic conference sponsored by the City of Ontario, County of San Bernardino, Global Trade Center of the Inland Empire, and the Guangzhou Import Commodities Center.

The business intensive trade mission included Guangzhou, Xi'an and Shanghai, China, and verified the Chinese marketąs requirements for US products and China's readiness to facilitate increased imports from Southern California.

"The City of Ontario is committed to the growth and evolution of our economy," said Mayor Gary Ovitt of the City of Ontario. 

"Strategically that includes the global economy and international trade. Our belief in the initiative to develop increased trade with China specifically exports to China was confirmed by this recent trade mission. It further developed our relationship with Chinese government officials and enabled Southern California businesses to directly connect with Chinese company officials and business owners."

According to Ontario City Council Member Alan Wapner, who accompanied the delegation to China, the results of the trade mission "were very positive."

Not only did participating companies begin the process of learning how to do business with China, he said,  "but many viable contacts were made with Chinese businesses for the potential export of products to China. Our initiative with China is something weąll continue to grow upon for the future."

China "has maintained annual economic growth rates of seven to eight percent since 2000. Its growing domestic market cannot be denied," said City of Ontario Economic Development Manager, Brian McGowan, who planned and organized the trade mission and accompanied the delegation to China.

"Chinaąs accession to the World Trade Organization in 2002 is the catalyst for Chinaąs intensive efforts to balance their export-reliant economy with a significant increase in foreign imports," McGowan continued. "Clearly, they demonstrate their readiness to facilitate increased imports from Southern California companies.  As a result, manufacturers and suppliers have unprecedented opportunities for business growth. Now is the time for Southern California businesses to find a way to be part of it."

The trade mission itinerary included a Southern California tradeshow and exhibition in Guangzhou attended by enterprises from throughout China. Participating companies from Southern California represented a wide variety of products in demand by the Chinese market. 

Companies ranged from suppliers such as H. Sattler Plastics Co. Inc. of Ontario, a thermoplastic engineering-grade resin company, to Bluefield Associates, Inc. also of Ontario, a manufacturer of ethnic skin care products.

Participating companies are being afforded the opportunity for long-term product exhibits at the new Guangzhou Import Commodities Center in Guangzhou, the capital of  Guangdong province and one of Southern China's major commercial centers.

By special arrangement, additional Southern California companies may also take advantage of this long-term exhibit space.  Interested businesses should contact McGowan at (909) 395-2402 or [email protected].

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