SGA is actively working to help our Governors promote the American South internationally as one of the most attractive places to do business today. In this global economy, Southern Governors are consistently reaching out to emerging markets, encouraging foreign direct investment and advocating exports from Southern businesses large and small. Especially in emerging markets, collaboration among Southern states can greatly amplify Governors' individual efforts and maximize the potential for success.

SGA states have specifically identified China - the world's fastest growing major economy - as the target of our collaborative economic development efforts. In June, 2010, eight Secretaries of Commerce from Southern states and territories led a region-wide group to Beijing, China, to present a coordinated face of the American South to Chinese business and political leaders. This initial effort was followed by a series of meetings with a delegation of Chinese government and business leaders during SGA's 2010 Annual Meeting in Birmingham, Alabama. Together, these meetings helped SGA members to better understand the opportunities and interests of individual Chinese provinces, and offered a clearer understanding of all that the American South has to offer to Chinese businesses.

Through their Secretaries of Commerce, Southern Governors are now shaping the second phase of this initiative to build on the momentum from the 2010 exchange. SGA will update this page to reflect new developments in our coordinated outreach to China.

View SGA’s informational video, “Discover the American South” to learn more about the region’s economic development efforts in China, and download SGA’s full-color booklet, “Doing Business with the American South” to view each SGA member state’s economic summary.