WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Moeller working to reinforce state’s standing in global economy

It’s a jungle in here.

Yes, it’s a terribly competitive economic jungle here in the Pacific Northwest. What with Washington being one of the most trade-dependent states in the nation, that is, and with the Port of Vancouver day after day wrangling against other West Coast waterfronts for business dollars like nobody’s business.

State Rep. Jim Moeller wants to hook up more of the Evergreen State’s firms and companies with potential Chinese consumers — who, after all, represent the world’s second-largest economy.

Moeller, Speaker Pro Tempore of the Washington House of Representatives, is joining other state-legislative leaders from around the country in a trade-boosting trip to the People’s Republic of China Nov. 10-18.

“I look very forward to meeting with local and national leaders in the Chinese government and business community,” Moeller said. “We always need to be looking for new markets, and for new and better ways to protect jobs here at home. One great way to do that is to encourage the export of more and more Washington products. Let’s find more Chinese customers for more Washington businesses.

“We need strategies that will cultivate stronger, enduring commerce with our neighbors all across the Pacific Rim,” he continued. “This China mission is fundamentally important for working families in Vancouver and our other Southwest Washington communities.”

The trip is being coordinated by the Council of State Governments (CSG), and financed with private funds. Founded 80 years ago, CSG works with state governments to build problem-solving partnerships, and to help legislators develop new tools and a practical understanding of the local impacts of global markets.

“All costs for travel and related expenses incurred for the purpose of this mission will be covered up front by CSG’s partners, the US China Peoples Friendship Association (a nonprofit, tax-exempt, education organization), and the China-US Exchange Foundation (a nongovernment, nonprofit, private-sector initiative),” said David Adkins, Executive Director and CEO with the Council of State Governments, in a May 25, 2012, letter of invitation for Moeller to join the trade mission.