May 18, 2017 (LINCOLN, NEB.) – Nebraska’s Department of Economic Development (DED) unveiled a written agreement with China’s Shaanxi Province Wednesday, which outlines a bilateral commitment to grow opportunities for trade, entrepreneurial training and economic research. Governor Pete Ricketts, DED Director Courtney Dentlinger and members of DED’s International Business Development Team hosted Shaanxi dignitaries in Omaha at the Midwest International Trade Association’s (MITA) World Trade Conference. Shaanxi’s Vice Governor, Wei Zenguin, Commerce Department Director-General, Zhao Runmin, and representatives from the province’s Department of Finance and additional organizations participated in signing the letter of intent.
The agreement serves as a continuation of efforts by the State of Nebraska to strengthen relationships between the two regions, including Gov. Ricketts’ 2016 International Trade Mission to China. During his visit to Shaanxi, the Governor signed an official Sister State Agreement with Governor Hu Heping. Director Dentlinger joined the Governor and the 72-member Nebraska Delegation on the mission last fall, which included business, agricultural and academic representatives.
Nebraska’s opportunities to grow business partnerships with Shaanxi have grown in recent years. In 2008, Shaanxi logistics service company, Easyway International, established its North American Headquarters in Nebraska.
Dentlinger said, “This is another important step in providing Nebraska companies with opportunities in the world’s largest market. Shaanxi has been a key partner to our state by growing their business ventures inside our borders, and by providing a friendly business climate for Nebraska companies looking to expand in China. We look forward to building upon the work that leaders in both regions have already accomplished.”
Today’s signed letter of intent details collaboration between economic leaders from Nebraska and Shaanxi to develop priorities for growing industry clusters in both regions, such as agriculture, bioscience and renewable energy utilization, medicine and pharmaceuticals, and information, finance and insurance. In 2015, China spent $1.29 billion in Nebraska exports. In the same year, Gross Domestic Product exceeded $1.8 trillion in Shaanxi Province alone.