Georgia Department of Economic Development: Announces Trade Representative for China

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The Georgia Department of Economic Development Announces Trade Representative for China

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) has selected The China Hand Consulting Co., Ltd., as the state’s newest international trade representative. The agency, based in Shanghai, will complement Georgia’s international investment team for China, which is located in Qingdao. Georgia’s representatives in Qingdao and Shanghai will work together to promote trade and investment throughout China.

“Strengthening our international trade representation – especially within a country that has a booming economy –will bring an abundance of opportunities for Georgians,” said GDEcD Commissioner Chris Carr. “Georgia has a strong international trade presence, and China is Georgia’s second-largest export market. I am confident that the relationship between our state and China will continue to expand.”

The China Hand Consulting Co. has provided trade facilitation and investment services to more than 1,000 companies. Their services include locating distributors/buyers for American products, organizing trade missions, conducting market research, and providing strategic consulting and advocacy for the market in China.

“China is an important market for our state and the announcement of a new trade representative in Shanghai will further these relationships throughout the country,” said Kathe Falls, Division Director, International Trade at GDEcD. “I have no doubt that this new representation will help to increase our state’s footprint within China’s business center.”

Paul H. Swenson formed The China Hand Consulting Co. to assist U.S. states with trade and investment initiatives, as well as support Chinese investors with successfully investing within the United States. The office works closely with their clients to build successes by bridging cultures and providing unique, value-added services.

“The Georgia-China relationship has an excellent track record for trade, investment, tourism and education,” said Swenson. “We look forward to building on this great foundation to assist the state of Georgia in its international trade efforts in China.”

 About the Trade Representatives 

Paul Swenson

Managing Director – Trade

State of Georgia – China

HI Office Tower, Suite 1003

899 Dong Fang Road

Shanghai, China 200122

T: +86 (21) 6867.6006

pswenson@georgia.org

Paul Swenson will serve as Georgia’s managing director for trade. In 2001, Swenson began work for the U.S. Department of Commerce Foreign Commercial Service, attached to the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai, where he led the health care, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and chemical portfolios.

Swenson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Asian Studies from St. Olaf College, a degree in Chinese language from East China Normal University in Shanghai and a Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management from Cornell University.

 

Jane Zheng

Trade Representative

State of Georgia – China

HI Office Tower, Suite 1003

899 Dong Fang Road

Shanghai, China 200122

T: +86 (21) 6867.6006

jzheng@georgia.org

Handling Georgia’s day-to-day trade operations, Jane Zheng will serve as Trade Representative. She has been with The China Hand Consulting since its establishment in 2003. Prior to her current position, Zheng worked for Springs Industries (Asia) Inc., a home textile importer headquartered in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and for the U.S. Foreign Commercial Service at the U.S. Consulate General Shanghai in trade promotion and senior office administration roles.

Zheng has a Bachelor Degree in Tourism Management and a Master’s Degree in International Trade awarded by Shanghai University. As a native of Shanghai, she speaks fluent Mandarin Chinese, English and Shanghainese.