~ Governor will visit Shanghai, then leads 73-member Minnesota delegation on India trip ~

Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced that prior to leading Minnesota’s first-ever trade mission to India, he will stop in China to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Minnesota’s sister-state agreement with Shaanxi Province.

During a one day visit to Shanghai, Governor Pawlenty will visit China’s only Best Buy store, where he will present computer equipment donated by the company to a school in Minnesota’s sister-province. While there, he will participate in an opening ceremony at the Shanghai Best Buy, the company’s first store in China and their largest store in the world.

Governor Pawlenty will hold a news conference at Minneapolis – St. Paul International Airport on Wednesday, October 17, to discuss the trip as he departs on his 10-day trade mission.

“Our trip underscores the importance of developing expanded business relationships with our global trading partners,” Governor Pawlenty said. “This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Minnesota-Shaanxi sister-state relationship and we applaud Best Buy’s generous contribution to the An Shang village school in our sister province.”

Following his visit to China on Friday, October 19, the Governor will lead a delegation of Minnesota business leaders, government officials and media on a trade mission to India to explore trade and investment opportunities and connect with key Indian and U.S. business organizations.

“Finding ways to sell more Minnesota products in countries with fast-growing economies and large populations is a key way to expand Minnesota’s economy,” Governor Pawlenty said. “India and the United States are charting a future as strategic partners and Minnesota is uniquely poised to lead the way.”

The 73-member delegation will travel to New Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai October 20-27 for a series of market and industry presentations, networking events, roundtable discussions and one-on-one business matchmaking events with potential Indian customers, distributors and partners.

India’s gross domestic product grew an average of 7 percent per year between 1994 and 2004 and recently has tracked at nearly 9 percent. U.S. manufactured exports to India reached $6.8 billion in 2005, an increase of 111 percent since 2000. Minnesota’s manufactured exports to India grew 208 percent to $85 million over the same period.

“India is on track to become the world’s second largest economy in the next 50 years,” said Tony Lorusso, executive director of the Minnesota Trade Office, the state’s official export-promotion agency. “Indian companies have ambitious plans for expanding and diversifying manufacturing activities, particularly in the automobile, auto parts, metals, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and electronics industries, creating opportunities for Minnesota suppliers.”

There is also strong potential for Indian investment in Minnesota. In 2005, Indian investors owned assets worth $1.36 billion in the United States, up from $277 million in 2002.

Indian-owned companies in Minnesota include Suzlon Wind Energy Corporation in Pipestone, Patni Computer Systems, Inc., Wipro Ltd, and Natural Stone, Inc. Suzlon has been ranked as the fifth-leading wind turbine manufacturer in the world and its wind turbines are used at 12 wind park sites in southwestern Minnesota. Wipro was featured in Forbes Magazine's fabulous 50 Asian companies.

Governor Pawlenty will be accompanied by First Lady Mary Pawlenty. In addition to participating in business events on the mission, the First Lady will also devote her time to raise awareness of humanitarian and social causes in which Minnesotans are involved. Some of the programs involve providing hope to Indian orphans, training and resources for the disabled, and advancing healthcare for children.