LITTLE ROCK — Governor Mike Beebe is looking forward to his trip to China next week for a number of reasons.
While the Governor said the trip will be "a lot of work" with a lot of commuting to different provinces over the week-and-a-half long jaunt, Beebe believes the trip is an opportunity to connect with the people of China, particularly the ones that run businesses with Arkansas ties.
The trip will be "hectic" as Beebe points out, with so much to do in such a short time frame — with at least 10 different visits planned with various dignitaries and businesses — but the experience will be used to strengthen relations with the country.
Beebe outlined a few other goals for the trip as well.
"First of all, to hopefully generate some foreign investment in Arkansas from Chinese companies, much like we've done from European countries," he said. "It's an emerging market for some of our experts. Particularly some of our agricultural exports, such as livestock and poultry. So it's a two-way street that we're really trying to walk, that creates economic opportunity for our people."