Oakland officials on China export mission
City and port leaders in Oakland will leave Saturday on a one-week trade mission to China designed to attract buyers and investors to the metropolitan region, increase exports and create jobs.
The delegation, which includes Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, Port Director Omar Benjamin and Oakland City Council President Larry Reid, will meet with business and civic counterparts in Beijing, Hong Kong and Shenzhen, according to the Port of Oakland.
Quan is of Chinese descent.
The trade mission will focus on increasing ocean exports through the Port of Oakland, developing direct air service between China and the city to increase tourism, and secure investments in Northern California.
The Port of Oakland also oversees the Oakland International Airport.
Eight mayors in Northern California in February committed to work together to increase exports from the region.
To read more about how ports like Oakland are contributing to the federal goal of doubling exports by 2015, see ‘Export experts’ (May American Shipper, page 62).
