Georgia China Future has formed a professional association comprised of the state's business leaders to increase Georgia 's business activity between Georgia and China. The newly-formed group, called Georgia China Alliance, will focus on strengthening commercial, social, and cultural ties between Georgia-based businesses and businesses based in the People's Republic of China. As part of the strategy, the organization's top goal is to secure a Chinese consulate office here in Atlanta by working with the state's congressional delegation in Washington.

The urgency for Georgia to take a proactive role in securing this business is based on China's remarkable recent growth. China has become the world's seventh largest economy, with imports and exports growing more than 20% over the last two years. With Georgia's business strengths, established presence overseas, and geographically advantageous location, Georgia is a perfect fit to build these partnerships and benefit from these opportunities.

China represents an enormous opportunity for the state of Georgia,?said Sam Zamarripa, partner at the investment banking firm Heritage Capital Advisors. ?China's GDP is expected to pass that of Japan by 2010 and rival that of the U.S. by 2025. Those figures represent a huge but relatively untapped market share. As a state, we need to go after that market, be competitive, build relationships and secure that revenue for the businesses and the economy of Georgia.?

e recognize that there is an incredible opportunity for direct foreign investment into Georgia,?said Guy Budinscak, Deloitte regional managing partner for strategic clients. ecuring this investment will increase company activity, create jobs and generate revenue throughout the State. We will be working with agricultural and logistical companies with global ambitions to inform them of our efforts and to ensure they are a part of this new business.?

Georgia China Future (GCF) started with a public-private partnership led by Georgia State Senator Sam Zamarripa. He is now leading Georgia China Alliance as partner of Heritage Capital Advisors along with Deloitte's Guy Budinscak. The charter meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 10, 2004 at 5:30 p.m. at the 191 Club at 191 Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta. The meeting will introduce the association, garner additional support, and review the objectives.

The newly formed organization will provide members with:

opportunities to host and meet with Chinese business and government leaders who visit Georgia

collaboration with other organizations to strengthen commercial ties between

Georgia-based businesses and businesses based in China

a conduit for communication between the Georgia and Chinese economies

In 2003, Deloitte Consulting and members of the Georgia State Senate formed a study committee and held meetings across Georgia, receiving testimony from industry and academic leaders. The final report recommended the establishment of a Chinese consulate in Atlanta, the expansion of commercial, passenger and logistics capacity between Georgia and China, and the establishment of an ongoing business entity that would focus on building long-term relationships with key business and political leaders in China. The decision was then made to create a professional association devoted to these goals.

Georgia China Alliance is a newly formed professional association devoted to increasing commerce between the state of Georgia and the People's Republic of China. Led by Georgia's business leaders, Georgia China Alliance builds relationships, opens doors and generates business opportunities with China's economy as it expands its presence in the global market. For more information, visit www.georgiachina.com.