Sanford, delegation in China on business

Gov. Mark Sanford and a delegation of South Carolina business leaders and legislators are leaving today for Dalian, China to attend  the World Economic Forum's inaugural "New Champions" meeting.

The governor's office, in a news release, said the Dalian conference presents a unique opportunity for the state, given that Gov. Sanford was the only U.S. governor invited to attend.

Sanford, according to the release, will be joined by:

• Marty Brown, President of Colite International;
• Mike Johnson, President of Cox Industries;
• Forester Adams, President of Joseph Walker & Co;
• Derick Close, President and CEO of Creative Products Group for Springs Industries;
• Guerry Green, President Screen Tight;
• O.L. Thompson, President of O.L. Thompson Construction and Chairman of Santee Cooper.

State Reps. Mick Mulvaney and Nikki Haley and Sen. Greg Ryberg are also traveling with Sanford, representing the General Assembly.

"I think attending this conference is a real compliment to some of the people who've worked hard on behalf of economic development over the years in this state," Gov. Sanford said in the news release. "In the global competition for jobs and investment, South Carolina - like these private sector companies - has both some real challenges and opportunities in what lies ahead in today's world.

"We believe this trip will result in some real dividends for our state down the road, both as we learn more about how to compete in this new world and in building relationships with global business leaders."

The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization, best known for its Davos meeting, which is held each March in Davos, Switzerland.  The attendees are the CEO's of the world's top 1200 companies.

Comments

[A Democrat for Governor in S.C.]

Geez. So now are dumb ol'Gov is selling us out like a private sector business.

Might as well fly a Mexican and Chinese flag here in this state.

Where's the real support for real working people in this state, not just the high-end business people.

You get what you vote for, and friends, blindness is free in this state.

[Randy]

Could we, in the interest of full disclosure, call him the Libertarian Governor? Otherwise, the truth is not apparent. It is important to know that he cares only about “ideas”, and could care less about the taxpaying, living, breathing, working class people called citizens.

[Fred]

I think he is looking at the big resources that the east has to offer. I just do not know if it will apply to the state level.