Promoting Whiteside County, its businesses, and the region is a top priority for Gary Camarano, Whiteside County’s Economic Development Director. On Thursday, June 29, 2017, he will have an opportunity to promote the Whiteside County/Northwest Illinois Region at the 2017 Annual Gala of the China General Chamber of Commerce in Chicago, IL (CGCC.) At the event, titled “New Era–Opportunities and Challenges in U. S.–China Economic Cooperation,” Camarano will speak to a large Chinese business delegation, from various Chinese cities and provinces, about regional trade and investment opportunities.
Camarano explained, “The purpose of this event is to connect both Chinese and U. S. businesses who want to explore new opportunities for export to China, to increase trade cooperation, to attract additional Chinese companies to invest in the Midwest, and for us to showcase our Region as an attractive place to do business. There have been about 260 Chinese companies that invested $20.3 billion in the nine-state Midwest Region from 2000 to 2016, creating at least 45,000 jobs….I would like to see future investment in the Northwest Illinois Region. We have several assets and opportunities here in the Whiteside Region….This is an opportunity to promote our region to a group of very interested potential investors and trade partners.”
James Duffy, Whiteside County Board Chair, said, “Creating market awareness about our region is something we need to be doing. It helps all of us, and our Economic Development Department is taking the lead on this. We have a great story to tell, and I’m happy to see it getting out there.”
Trade between the U. S., the world’s #1 economy, and China, the #2 economy, is seen as an important issue for both countries, as highlighted by the recent Summit in Palm Beach, FL, between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping….They agreed to launch a 100-day plan to strengthen the trade and international ties, and to boost cooperation between the two nations, who will soon account for two thirds of the world’s total economy.
In addition to speaking at the gala, Camarano will invite several local businesses for networking purposes. According to Camarano, “It will be a great opportunity to meet Chinese prospects for our region’s businesses that are looking for export opportunities. The information sessions, exhibit hall, and B2B Matchmaking Event are all complimentary, so CGCC is making it pretty easy for us to meet interested prospects.”
Exporting and export-ready businesses that would like to participate in the June 29 “New Era–Opportunities and Challenges in U. S.–China Economic Cooperation” event should contact Camarano at 815-772-5182 or econdev@whiteside.org for additional information.