China Trade Mission
Trade Mission to China
Delegation Finds Opportunity Abroad
Posted Thursday, November 8, 2007 ; 06:00 AM
We truly have a world economy, and that's not going to change. It's now our responsibility to deal with competition on a global scale. Led by Gov. Joe Manchin, a group of West Virginians has visited China to explore business opportunities there. They are focusing on the energy sector -- a topic that West Virginia businesses know very well.
While doing business abroad is not a new trend for a number of West Virginia companies, we are encouraged to see this trend accelerate, especially in a climate where so many are quick blame West Virginia's economic woes on the emergence of a global economy.
Let's face facts: While much of our manufacturing base has migrated overseas to low-cost producers, we have seen major investment from foreign manufacturers who now employ hundreds of West Virginians.
We truly have a world economy, and that's not going to change. It's now our responsibility to deal with competition on a global scale.
As the delegation of state officials and business leaders learned during its recent trip to China, the world -- in an economic sense -- is flat, and we have opportunities abroad.
Rather than back down from the challenge, West Virginia businesses can follow the lead of Phillips Machine Service of Beckley, Kanawha Scales of Poca and other entrepreneurial West Virginia companies that see opportunities in far-away places.
That's the future and the hope for West Virginia.
