GOVERNOR EHRLICH, ROCKVILLE MAYOR GIAMMO, MARYLAND STATE DBED OFFICIALS WILL TRAVEL TO CHINA AND SINGAPORE IN OCTOBER

Group Leaves Saturday, Oct. 16, on Mission to Foster Better Opportunities Between Maryland and Asian Businesses

ROCKVILLE, MD (Oct. 15, 2004) – Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. and Rockville Mayor Larry Giammo will be part of a group that will leave for China and Singapore on Saturday, Oct. 16, in an effort to foster business opportunities between Maryland and Chinese firms.

On Monday, Oct. 11, Mayor Giammo met with about 25 Asian-American business leaders and members of the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce at a working reception at the offices of Rockville Economic Development, Inc., in Rockville Town Center. The Mayor was seeking input from these experienced leaders to maximize the impact of the trip. Among the information shared during the meeting were mannerisms that are different in Asian business dealings than are customary in American business.

Governor Ehrlich’s mission to Asia will include Mayor Giammo, three directors of the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (George Dang, Serina Moy and Jon Liu) and members of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. Governor Ehrlich is expected to spend four days in China. Mayor Giammo’s trip will extend through Saturday, Oct. 23.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to represent Rockville, Montgomery County and the State of Maryland on the trade mission,” said Mayor Giammo. “The City of Rockville has a strong relationship with the state government, which is, for example, a major investor in the redevelopment of Rockville's Town Center. By playing a role in the trade mission, I have an opportunity to reciprocate by helping the state in its effort to strengthen economic ties with Asia.

Rockville has gained a prominent national and international reputation for the high-level bio-tech and hi-tech companies that have established themselves along the I-270 Technology Corridor. Many of these companies are based in Rockville or are international companies that sought to set up bases of operation in the Rockville region. In addition to supporting those businesses, the trade mission will seek to help local businesses by identifying potential overseas markets and venture capital investors. The trip also will demonstrate the benefits of doing business in the Rockville area to Asian businesses considering establishing roots in the U.S.

Rockville provides a perfect environment, excellent infrastructure and a highly educated and diverse workforce for a variety of businesses. The 2000 U.S. Census reports Asians are the largest minority in Rockville with 14.8 percent of the population of 47,388, including 6.1 percent of the total identifying themselves as Chinese.

Mayor Giammo’s extended trip will include a meeting with government leaders and entrepreneurs in Suzhou, which is about 50 miles from Shanghai. That visit will include a look at American companies in an industrial park and meetings with representatives of several Chinese companies that have the interest and potential to go aboard.

“The trade mission has already provided an opportunity for the Rockville government and me to develop stronger relationships with members of the Asian-American business community in Montgomery County and Rockville,” said Mayor Giammo. “The members of the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce have become a major part of the Washington Metropolitan area business community. Their assistance in planning and preparing for this trade mission is deeply appreciated.”

Mayor Giammo intends to explore the possibility of a continuing relationship between the cities of Suzhou and Rockville. He hopes that relationship would eventually include exchanges of students, teachers, artists, business and government leaders, as well as the possibility of a more comprehensive, longer-term Sister City-type of relationship.

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