Strengthening Maine\u27s Economy by Connecting Local Businesses Globally

Building relationships in business is one of the components to ensuring economic success. Hello, this is Governor Paul LePage. This week, I will lead a diverse group of Maine business professionals, academic recruiters and government representatives to Japan and China on a trade mission. This mission is about jobs and economic growth. The delegation includes several Maine businesses seeking to develop new export markets and secure new buyers to expand their sales in Tokyo and Shanghai. Industries represented include: advanced materials, renewable energy, marine resources and some educational institutions looking to boost international student attraction. We have two high schools joining the mission, along with the University of Maine and University of Southern Maine. China is Maine\u27s second largest export market, with $184 million in exports in 2014. Japan is Maine\u27s fourth largest export market at $98 million. They are both critical markets for our Natural resource-based economy. For example, pulp and paper represents $127 million and seafood represents $46.1 of Maine exports. There has been tremendous growth in lobster exports to China, increasing from $8 million to $21 million in last 2 years. And there is room to grow. We can boost Maine\u27s export trade by developing investment contacts and increasing business attraction. In 2012, we lead the Administration\u27s first visit to Mainland China, which lead to International Grand Investment Corp. investing more than $150 million in Woodland Pulp in Baileyville. The Chinese company last year added 2 paper machines, creating 80 new jobs in Northern Maine. The Chinese will also soon invest in the City of Auburn, where plans to renovate an old mill are underway for a medical tourism facility. This is expected to create another 100 jobs. Trade missions are important economic drivers. We have opportunities to build up exports and bring in new sales, investments and connections. This mission is one more way our administration is working to provide more opportunities for more Mainers to achieve prosperity