April 22, 2009
GOVERNOR PATERSON ANNOUNCES THE NEW YORK STATE-JIANGSU PROVINCE JOINT ECONOMIC COMMISSION AGREEMENT
The Agreement Will Provide New York State Companies Access to One of the Only Currently Expanding Global Markets
Governor David A. Paterson today met with Vice Governor Li Xiaomin of the Jiangsu Province of China and announced the New York State-Jiangsu Province Joint Economic Commission Agreement. This agreement celebrates the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Sister-State relationship between New York State and Jiangsu, and will help New York maintain its status as a leader in the global marketplace.
“This agreement represents a unique opportunity for New York State to create and solidify economic links with one of China’s most economically vibrant and historically important provinces,” Governor Paterson said. “While this agreement is only the first step of a long process, I am confident that over time it will help New York State firms create jobs by gaining access to one of the only global markets that is growing at this time.”
The agreement focuses on cutting edge and rapidly evolving industries, to ensure that both New York State and Jiangsu remain ahead of the technological and economic curves. The five key sectors of the economy mentioned in the agreement are: clean technology, life sciences, financial services, information technology/nanotechnology and education.
In 2007, Jiangsu Province was China’s third richest province (accounting for 10.3 percent of China’s GDP), its most densely populated province (with a population of 76.2 million), and had an estimated 680,000 private businesses.
-
During the meeting at the Governor’s midtown-Manhattan office this afternoon, Governor Paterson and Vice Governor Li discussed several specific steps. They include:
- Building a bi-lateral service platform for New York State firms to sell low carbon technologies to Jiangsu, including technology consulting, exchange and transfer. Both parties will be actively involved in the green partnership established under the 10-year energy and environmental protection cooperation framework between the U.S. and China.
- Establishing a bio-tech and talent sharing exchange program to be undertaken here in New York, bringing in Jiangsu scientists to educate them in advanced aspects of drug molecule design, gene engineering, protein engineering and stem cell research.
- Expanding the cooperation between SUNY Stony Brook and Nanjing University, as well as discussing how SUNY might provide training to Jiangsu professionals and students in economics, public administration and law.
- Strengthening cooperation in wind power development and committing both sides to an all-around cooperation ranging from wind power projects to wind turbine management.
- Sending a delegation of New York State experts to Jiangsu later in 2009 to hold a joint environmental forum.
- Establishing a Jiangsu Province Representative Office in New York for economic and technical cooperation.
