40 Colorado business, economic-development and research leaders travelled with their governor to Japan and China in November 2008 to create new business and investment opportunities. It could possibly bring long-term benefits to Colorado's economy by implementing new multi-year trade strategy in Asia.
"Colorado is no longer just competing against neighbouring states for new jobs and new companies," Gov. Ritter said. "This is now a global economy, and we must invest in international strategies today to realize a profitable return on our investments in the years ahead.
Japan is Colorado's fourth-largest export market, with 2007 exports to Japan totaling $359 million. Leading 2007 export categories included medical and scientific instruments, up more than 54 percent to $98 million; meat and meat products, up 164 percent to $63 million; and industrial machinery, $55 million.
China overtook Japan as Colorado's third-largest export market in 2006. The state's exports to China last year totaled $488 million. Important export commodities in 2007 included electrical machinery, $96 million; base metal and cermets, up 45 percent from the previous year to $93 million; and medical and scientific instruments, $73 million.
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