TEDA China trip taking shape

It might not be the historic caliber of Richard Nixon meeting Mao Zedong in 1972 to normalize relations between the United States and China, but for members of the Terrebonne Economic Development Authority making plans to visit that nation 40 years later is equally significant.

An organizational meeting with local business leaders on Monday had attendees anticipating details of what to expect during and after a scheduled summer tour of Weihai, China.

Agenda topics included information on available funds for exporting internationally.

Louisiana International Business Development Director Larry Collins was slated to lead a business travel session at the Courtyard by Marriott in Houma. With Collins, Louisiana Economic Development Asian representative Steve Lee was also prepared with information about exporting goods to China.

“This is a great indication of how serious state economic experts are taking this,” TEDA CEO Steve Vassallo said. “This year, China will be investing $140 billion outside China. We want our share of that, and if [Lee and Collins] didn’t think it was a realistic opportunity for us they would not agree to meet with us.”

TEDA began making plans for an initial visit to Weihai, China on March 31. The scheduled travel dates are June 17-20 during the Weihai International Food Exposition.

Yuchen Zhao, Weihai official said “We will arrange for TEDA to visit our leading enterprises, to meet officials from various key government departments, to sit down to discuss on specific projects,” Weihai spokesperson Yuchen Zhao said. “All in all, [this will give our] two cities a chance to get a better understanding of each other and the prospect for our future cooperation.”

In addition, Zhang Hui, Acting Weihai Mayor Zhang Hui invited TEDA to attend the food expo offered free exhibition booths for Terrebonne Parish food enterprises that come with the delegation.

“If Nixon and [Henry] Kissinger had not made that trip to China 40 years ago, I doubt we would be having a conversation with them now,” Vassallo said. “If we don’t take this opportunity, New Orleans or another city will.”