D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray on Tuesday announced he and a delegation of economic development officials will visit three cities in China in June to set up business contacts and tout foreign investment in the city’s hot real estate market.
Mr. Gray’s office said the city expects to generate millions of dollars in revenue through public and private partnerships during the tour of Beijing, Shanghai and Suzhou.
“To build a diversified new economy for the District that is less dependent on the federal government, we must increase the District’s profile in the global marketplace,” Mr. Gray said. “This trip will help our local businesses better compete around the world and create jobs here at home.”
Mr. Gray, who signaled his intent to travel to the Far East in his State of the District Address in February, will also leverage the city’s Export D.C. program to promote city businesses’ products in China.
The D.C. delegation of 25 people is expected to include business leaders and five city government officials — Mr. Gray, Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development Victor L. Hoskins, Business Development Director David Zipper, Department of Small and Local Business Development Director Harold Pettigrew, and Office of Planning Director Harriet Tregoning.
Mr. Gray said the city of Beijing and potential sponsors will fund the trip in part, although complete financial details will be released once they are finalized.
Business leaders interested in joining the delegation are expected to pay their own way.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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