ROCKVILLE MAYOR LARRY GIAMMO TO PRESENT HIGHLIGHTS OF TRAVELS TO ASIA

Public invited to attend December 2 presentation on mission to Asia with Governor Ehrlich

Rockville, Maryland (November 16, 2004)— The public is invited to attend a presentation on Thursday, December 2 by Rockville Mayor Larry Giammo on his recent trip to China and Singapore with Maryland Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. China’s accelerating transition to a market-based economy has prompted the first ever participation by a Rockville mayor in an economic trade mission to Asia. Giammo will describe his experience during this presentation and discussion.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the first floor auditorium of the Montgomery County Council office building at 100 Maryland Avenue located across from Rockville City Hall. Giammo’s trip to Asia in mid-October covered eight days.

“I returned with a much-broadened appreciation of how China is moving from a controlled economy to a market-driven economy,” said Giammo. “Many people are not aware that Asian-based businesses already are a major factor in our area. I think this trip could have considerable impact on helping these businesses that are currently in Rockville and other parts of Maryland, and toward attracting new Asian businesses that might want to get established here.”

Giammo will discuss the influence of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development’s efforts to establish better relationships with Asian-based businesses. He said he appreciates the help he has received from members of the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce, particularly George Dang, Jon Liu and Serina Moy, in this work toward better understanding between these businesses and U.S. local governments such as Rockville.

Over the next five weeks, four separate delegations of Chinese business and government leaders will be visiting the City of Rockville, seeking insight on government operations and economic development issues. Giammo, along with Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) Executive Director Sally Sternbach and members of the Rockville City staff, met with 20 government officials from Shandong Province in China on November 9. The officials are spending six months in the United States in language and business culture studies in order to better evaluate investment opportunities here.

Rockville has gained a prominent national and international reputation for the high-level biotech and high-tech companies that have established themselves along the I-270 Technology Corridor. In addition to supporting those businesses, the trade mission sought to help other local businesses by identifying potential overseas markets and venture capital investors. The trip also demonstrated the benefits of doing business in the Rockville area to Asian businesses that are considering establishing the U.S. market.

Rockville provides an outstanding environment, excellent infrastructure and a highly educated and diverse workforce for a variety of businesses. The 2000 U.S. Census reports that Asians are the largest minority in Rockville, with 14.8 percent of the population of 47,388; 6.1 percent of Rockville residents identify themselves as Chinese.

The presentation is being co-sponsored by REDI, the Rockville Chamber of Commerce, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce and the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce.

For additional information about Mayor Giammo’s December 2 presentation, contact Neil Greenberger, Public Information Manager at (240) 314-8115. Information can also be obtained through REDI at (301) 315-8096 or by visiting www.RockvilleREDI.org.

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The mission of Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) is to strengthen and broaden the economic base of Rockville. As part of that mission, REDI promotes Rockville as a great place to work and live; assists businesses looking to relocate or expand in Rockville; facilitates the site selection, permitting and licensing processes; serves as a liaison to the people and programs in other levels of government; and maintains and disseminates information on the community, workforce and economic climate of Rockville, where we are “Known for the Companies We Keep”.