CHINESE SISTER CITY MAY PRODUCE TRADE FOR CAPE GIRARDEAU

Cape Girardeau may be located in the middle of the United States, but the city doesn't operate in a vacuum. Many local companies are active in international trade and several foreign companies call Cape Girardeau their second home.

In May, the city entered into a sister-city agreement with Shaoxing, China. Since that time, three Chinese delegations have visited Cape Girardeau, and one local group traveled to Shaoxing last May.

The relationship is more than just pen pals. Both sides are working to foster an economic partnership as well. A town of 4 million, Shaoxing may have much to offer the city. Who knows what might come from such a long-distance friendship down the road? Trips by Chamber of Commerce officials to Japan eventually brought Biokyowa Inc. and jobs to town.

The groups said the goal of these trips were to promote both economic development and friendship between the two cities. Other goals of the program are to promote cultural and student exchanges and educational programs.

Business delegations from Shaoxing visited the city twice -- once in May and again in early December. The most recent business delegation visited 25 manufacturing plants in Cape Girardeau County in early December. Several of the local companies expressed interest in cooperative ventures.

The official city delegation was the last to arrive in mid-December.

So far, exchange costs have been minimal -- about $3,500. If this small investment could bring economic development opportunities, it would be a small price to pay.

Cape Girardeau picked up the costs of the official delegation while staying in town, such as lodging, meals and transportation to and from St. Louis. The other two delegations from China were business people who paid their own way. Shaoxing paid the same in-town transportation costs as well as hotel and lodging expenses for Cape Girardeau people who visited. The Cape people paid their own transportation costs to and from China.

On an early visit, an official with the Missouri Department of Economic Development called China one of the highest growth markets. China is Missouri's 14th largest trading partner, with the state's exports to that Asian nation topping $50 million.

Cape Girardeau businessman Peter Choi deserves special recognition for his role in establishing the sister-city ties. Choi, who operates a Chinese restaurant in Cape Girardeau, is from Shaoxing.

This sister-city relationship could help open doors of economic ventures in both cities. When it comes to economic development, Cape Girardeau and Shaoxing may be speaking the same language.