Perdue looks to drum up business in Asia

Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco, other department officials and North Carolina business executives will join Perdue on the eight-day trip. The governor also visited the two Asian nations in October 2009.

The group will visit companies in the two nations and encourage them to invest in North Carolina and buy exports from the state. The companies are in targeted industries like biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, information technology, energy and automotive.

“My top priority is growing jobs,” Perdue said in a statement. "International investments are important to our growing economy, and increasing our exports means jobs and investments right here in our state.”

International investment and job creation has accounted for about 15 percent of all investment and jobs in North Carolina over the past decade, amounting to more than $9 billion in investments and 40,000 jobs, officials said.

China is North Carolina’s second-largest trading partner, exporting over $2.2 billion worth of products and services. Japan is North Carolina’s fourth-largest partner, exporting more than $1.7 billion worth of products and services.

Perdue also plans to visit two universities in China that have partnerships with universities in North Carolina and participate in National Governors Association meetings, which are being held in China at the same time.

Tim Crowley, a spokesman for the state Department of Commerce said the state has budgeted $50,000 to pay for Perdue, Crisco and two other staff members' expenses.

The additional 12-25 business leaders joining them will have their expenses paid by private funding, he said.