05/13/05 Governor leads trade mission to Asia

They all seem to be going for the same reason. They want make new contacts, create new relationships and eventually open new markets for Idaho products. Tomorrow Governor Dirk Kempthorne will lead 23 Idaho companies and organizations on a two week trade mission to Tokyo, Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai and Taipei. His Commerce and Labor Department Director Roger Madsen will be there too. MADSEN "Seven of our top trading partners in the world are from Asia. We're the fourth leading state in the country in growth for international trade exports in the last twelve months." The Idaho Potato Commission, Farm Bureau, Symms Fruit Ranch and the Idaho Wheat Commission have representatives on the tour. Wheat Commission administrator Blaine Jacobson is trying to build inroads into China which could be a huge potential for Idaho, topping all the other Asian markets. JACOBSEN "Idaho has about an 80 percent market share in Japan, about a 50 percent market share in Korea and better than 90 percent in Taiwan." State Deputy Ag Director Mike Everett says in addition to the wheat market, they'll try to convince the Japanese to allow US beef imports to resume. EVERETT "When they cut off that market it has cost Idaho a great deal. The governor is going to have some very intensive discussions with their agriculture officials regarding the beef issue." Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott