Governor Perdue to Join Coca-Cola at Expo 2010 Shanghai

Will also visit Hong Kong while in Asia

Governor Sonny Perdue is joining Atlanta-based Coca-Cola Company as it continues its participation in the Expo 2010 Shanghai next week in China. Coca-Cola has already welcomed over 500,000 visitors to its pavilion in Shanghai during the Expo. China is a key market both for Coca-Cola and the state of Georgia.

“China is the world’s fastest growing consumer market, which presents great opportunities for Georgia business, big and small,” said Governor Perdue. “Coca-Cola is the most respected brand in the world, and I am happy to join them as they continue to represent our state and play a major role in our economy.”

“We are honored to join Governor Perdue on this economic development mission. We share his deep appreciation of the importance of the U.S./China relationship to business. Georgia is our home, the U.S. is our largest market globally and China is our second largest international market,” said Clyde Tuggle, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs & Communications, The Coca-Cola Company. “Coca-Cola has a long view on China. Since 1979 we have invested more than $2 billion (U.S.), and in 2009 we committed to invest a further $2 billion (U.S.) over the following three years. By the end of the year we will be operating 39 plants in China – two of them opened this year.”

After spending two days in Shanghai with Coca-Cola at the Expo, Governor Perdue will also visit Hong Kong for ports-related meetings with the Georgia Ports Authority. The Governor first visited China in 2008, the same year the Georgia economic development office opened in Beijing.

The Beijing Georgia Business Advisory Center gives Georgia a platform to introduce investment, trade and tourism opportunities to Chinese companies, tour operators and citizens.

In the last three years, seven Chinese companies have announced projects in Georgia. An average of two Chinese delegations visit Georgia every month.

China is Georgia’s second biggest trade partner with $1.7 billion in exports last year. The Georgia-China trading relationship involves a diverse range of products. Among U.S. states, Georgia ranks first among states in its exports of meat (poultry); kaolin and textile floor coverings to China. Other top exports to China include paper and paperboard; aircraft and spacecraft; glass and glassware; wood pulp and organic chemicals.

Georgia imports from China through the Savannah Customs District totaled $14.6 billion in 2009, which account for nearly 28 percent of total Georgia imports. Georgia’s top imports from China include nuclear reactors and boilers; electrical machinery and equipment; toys, games and sports equipment; furniture and footwear. According to the Georgia Ports Authority, in 2008, China alone accounted for 40 percent of Georgia’s trade. The Port of Savannah, the fourth largest container port in the United States, is one of three key entry points in the Asia-United States shipping lanes.
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