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View original press release on EDASC website.

The Washington State China Relations Council appointed Sean Connell, EDASC Director of Business Development and Global Competitiveness, to its Board of Directors on February 8. The Council, which was founded in 1979 following the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China, is the oldest nongovernmental organization advocating at the state level for increased trade connections with China. The Council’s staff and board of directors regularly advise leaders from business, government and civic sectors on issues related to China, and the organization plays a central role in the attraction of direct investment from China into Washington State.

Mr. Connell has worked closely with the Washington State China Relations Council since 2014 to foster economic connections between Skagit County and Northwestern Washington State communities and China. Since July 2016 he has chaired the Council’s Government Affairs Committee, and during 2017 supported the Council in launching its Policy Briefing Series, which engages leading subject-matter experts from government, industry, law, and technology communities to provide in-depth insights on current key issues in U.S.-China-Washington State relations. Additionally, he worked with the Council and Washington State University Skagit County Extension last fall to launch the Skagit County China Briefing Series, an ongoing series of workshops for regional audiences to introduce the fundamentals of doing business in China and key issues in the Washington State-China relationship.

“As a nationally-recognized Asia expert and director of business development and global competitiveness for the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County, Sean Connell’s appointment as a new board director of the Washington State China Relations Council will expand collaboration between Skagit County and the Council in raising awareness of China and Asia-focused trade policy in Washington state,” stated WSCRC President Mercy Kuo.

EDASC CEO John Sternlicht noted, “Mr. Connell’s appointment not only allows the statewide group to take advantage of his Asia expertise, but also helps elevate Skagit County to potentially garner more attention for foreign direct investment.”

The Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC) serves as Skagit County, Washington’s economic development organization, working to improve and diversify the economy for greater prosperity for all businesses and residents. Through its programs targeting business recruitment, retention and expansion, EDASC seeks to foster an advantageous environment for all sectors of Skagit County to prosper. Learn more on our website.

The Washington State China Relations Council is the nation’s oldest statewide organization dedicated to promoting stronger commercial, educational, and cultural engagement with China. The WSCRC has actively worked for over 40 years and their membership is comprised of over 100 companies, financial institutions, ports, municipal governments, institutions of higher education, and cultural organizations.

On September 19, 2017, WSCRC convened the Policy Briefing Series at K&L Gates in Seattle. Nien Su, Chief Economic Advisor in the US House of Representatives, shared his perspective on US trade relations with Asian countries. With a unique and extensive background of business development and government policy, Mr. Su provided timely observations on uncertainty in the current global trade climate and suggestions for ways in which Washington state could spotlight its resources and assets. Based on his experience with trade and economic growth in his district in Southern California, Nien Su emphasized the unlimited growth potential of three key areas: food, cars and technology. These three sectors are fundamentals that will continue to help create jobs despite global market uncertainties. The main message of Mr. Su’s district in Southern California is that they are “open for business” and welcome investment from Asian countries.

Mr. Su was impressed with the leadership of Washington state companies in the global trade arena. He met with government leaders at WA Commerce Department and Snohomish County, and leading companies, including Boeing, PACCAR and Amazon, which represent just a sampling of the wide array of the state’s globally competitive industries. He noted that despite national political rhetoric on global trade issues, US states, counties and cities are well-positioned to strengthen US trade relations with Asian nations.

Nien Su concluded with recommendations of achievable steps towards increasing Washington state’s access to Asia’s market. Agricultural and service exports often fall outside the zone of major controversy within trade policy debates, creating tremendous growth potential for Washington’s rich agricultural assets and services in direct trade with Asia. Additionally, he underscored the importance of stepping up US e-commerce presence in China, streamlining procedures for agriculture exports, and providing more direct flights to major Asian hubs as short-term goals. Mr. Su opined that Washington sits atop a “goldmine” of trade and services potential within Asia, and now is the time to showcase Washington’s natural resources and assets for the Asian market.

Connell appointed to Board of Directors of the Washington State China Relations Council

POLICY BRIEFING SERIES — US Asia Economic Policy: View from the US Congress

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