Commerce RI, state agencies to host trip to Asia

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - State agency officials are heading east to help Rhode Island companies better understand Asia’s business markets.

The Rhode Island Commerce Corporation announced Thursday that it’s hosting a weeklong trip to Taiwan and South Korea in August. The project is a partnership between state agencies, Bryant University and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston.

Gov. Gina Raimondo says it’s an opportunity to increase the state’s exports and create more jobs.

Commerce RI says exports from Rhode Island to Korea grew by almost $10 million from 2013 to 2014, creating at least 50 jobs. Taiwan is the state’s second largest Asian export market.

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office General Director Scott Lai says Taiwan is a gateway to the greater Chinese market.

Companies can contact Commerce RI for more information.