Hutchinson announces trade mission to Japan, China

Gov. Asa Hutchinson is shown in this file photo.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson is shown in this file photo.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Friday announced a trade mission to Japan and China as part of the governor's continued efforts to boost the state's economy through international means.

"The purpose of this mission is twofold. First of all to recruit new industry into Arkansas and to acquire those businesses that are looking for investment in this state," he said.

The trip will be from Nov. 15 to Nov. 24 and will include meetings with political leaders as well as business figures in each country representing multiple sectors such as manufacturing and food processing, Hutchinson said.

Mike Preston, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and Hutchinson's wife, Susan, will accompany him on the trip.

The delegation will visit Japan for three days before spending five days in China, Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson said Arkansas has "failed as a state" to capitalize on the connection between Arkansas and China through the world's largest retailer, Bentonville-based Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

"People know Wal-Mart, but they don't always know that Sam Walton from northwest Arkansas founded the company," he said.

Hutchinson said one way for Chinese manufacturers to market to Wal-Mart is to bring jobs to the U.S., and particularly to Arkansas.

Arkansas is home to 16 Japanese companies with 19 locations and four Chinese companies, according to the governor's office.

The trip later this month will also include visits with Caroline Kennedy, U.S. ambassador to Japan, and Max Baucus, U.S. ambassador to China.

Hutchinson said the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission Foundation will pay for the trip.

Friday's announcement at the state Capitol came after Hutchinson led a three-day trade mission to Havana, Cuba, in September.

In a letter to congressional leaders on Tuesday, Hutchinson urged them to allow Cuba to finance the purchase of American commodities, calling for an end to a ban he said limits a potential market of nearly $40 million for state products, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.

Hutchinson also visited France and Germany earlier this year.

Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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