LePage to lead trade mission to Japan, China

Gov. Paul LePage will lead a delegation of Maine businesses and educational institutions in a trade mission to Japan and China this October.

The Maine International Trade Center, which is organizing the trip with the U.S. Commercial Service, announced the trip on Wednesday, saying that business matchmaking sessions are being coordinated to increase Maine’s exports. The trip also will include special sessions highlighting Maine lobster and Maine as an investment location.

In addition, the trip will include a focus on attracting international students to Maine’s secondary and post-secondary educational institutions.

"I look forward to working with our Maine companies, supporting our schools that are interested in attracting more students from Asia, and developing relationships with some of the Asian investors we have been in contact with," LePage said in a prepared statement. "We will also educate Asian importers about the superior quality of Maine lobsters, as well as many of our excellent Maine-manufactured products."

China and Japan were Maine’s second and fourth leading export destinations last year, respectively, having imported a total of $281.7 million in Maine products. Food and seafood, biotechnology and medical products and industrial machinery have been the leading export sectors, but the U.S. Commercial Service has identified export potential for several others, including environmental technologies, renewable energy and travel and tourism.

Both counties have also been a source of investment capital for Maine companies, including Woodland Pulp in Baileyville, World Harbors in Auburn and Somic America in Brewer, all of which are owned by Japanese or Chinese companies.

The delegation’s trip will begin in Tokyo on Oct. 25, continue to Shanghai on Oct. 28 and return to the United States on Oct. 31. The Maine International Trade Center is encouraging Maine companies to register for the trip. More information can be found at www.mitc.com.

Janine Cary waves the flag to take Maine products global

'Big stick' ideology may give the needed leverage in overseas business relationships

Maine businesses see opportunity on the North Atlantic