CAMARILLO – As part of the ongoing effort to increase trade and investment, particularly in California’s renewable energy and clean tech sectors, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and the California Energy Commission recently led a delegation of California clean tech businesses on a 10-day, five-city business outreach trip to China. Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County’s Small Business Development Center Director Ray Bowman, whose expertise includes identifying key international trade clusters and coordinating resources to connect area businesses with international trade opportunities, was one of the 24 delegates participating in this endeavor.
The delegation was led by GO-Biz Director Panorea Avdis and California Energy Commission Chair Robert B. Weisenmiller and included representatives from GO-Biz, the California Energy Commission, the California Environmental Protection Agency, the California Asian Pacific (Cal Asia) Chamber of Commerce, EDC-VC, Los Angeles World Trade Center, and a dozen clean energy executives and California business representatives.
The delegation met with more than 48 organizations, including top government officials, Chinese companies and key stakeholders, for the purpose of increasing trade and investment in the clean tech sector, promoting California companies’ competitiveness in this sector, and presenting job-creating investment opportunities in other sectors around the state.
“One thing that came across loud and clear is that China views California as a world leader in clean technology; we offer one of the best environments and strongest economies, and China looks to California as the model to benchmark, both from a legislative and technology stand point,” said Bowman. “We’ve already received more than 50 inquiries as a result of the trip, and now that our trade commission has paved the way with Chinese officials, we can act as convener to make introductions.”
Delegates met with Chinese trade officials and businesses in Beijing, which also included visiting delegations from Hebei, Shandong, Chongqing, and Inner Mongolia Provinces, as well as in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Shenzhen. Delegates also attended the annual Environmental Protection Technology & Equipment Trade Show hosted by the Chinese Government.
The delegation conducted site visits of companies such as tech giant LeEco in Beijing and electric vehicle start-up NextEV in Shanghai. NextEV, a participating delegate on the trade mission, this month announced the opening of their North American headquarters in San Jose, with plans to grow extensively in California.
“Many of the companies we spoke with in the provinces already have a presence in Los Angeles, including Invest Shanghai, and are committed to promoting two-way investment and economic opportunities for clean tech energy between China and the United States,” said Bowman. “There was such a high level of interest among local governments, institutions, associations and enterprises that preliminary talks for another visit are already in process.”
The trade mission was organized in partnership with the CA-China Trade and Investment Office and the Cal Asian Chamber. Delegation members included electric vehicle companies, clean energy investors, international trade representatives from several regions in California and more. For a complete list of delegates, please visit the California Asian Chamber website: http://www.calasiancc.org/event/china-trade-mission-2/
The SBDC is funded by the SBA and provides professional business assistance at no cost to businesses. Participating businesses are required to follow a well-defined scope of work and report their economic successes. These SBA milestones are defined as job creation, increase in sales, capital investment, jobs retained and business started.
EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center, loan programs, manufacturing outreach and international trade program, or other services available to small businesses through EDC-VC, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24 or bruce.stenslie@edc-vc.com. Or visit http://www.edc-vc.com.