10/14/08 Why go on a trade mission to Asia?

There are several agricultural based companies that have sent representatives to Asia this week as part of Governor Butch Otter's trade mission. Why do these companies pay to be on the tour to Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam and Taiwan? Rich Kay is the vice president of marketing for Boise-based Fresca Mexican Foods. Fresca already sells its tortillas in places like Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Singapore. He sees Vietnam as a potential new market. KAY "I'll interview people who have, importers who have frozen products and see what the market would bear and what the competition has there and so forth." Several people from the Idaho State Department of Agriculture including Director Celia Gould are on this Asian trip and Kay says their assistance in opening new markets is invaluable. KAY "You've actually got to give them a ten plus. I've had nothing but good relationships and excellent service and turnaround and just the whole thing works for me. The Ag Department really is why we're in Korea and the reason we're in Hong Kong and the reason we're in Taiwan." Tomorrow another ag interest, a commission. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott