Carrico Makes Economic Development Trip to Taiwan
Richmond – Sen. Bill Carrico (R-Fries) recently
returned from a trip to Taiwan, where he met with several key officials to
discuss economic development opportunities between the country and Virginia.
Carrico emphasized the opportunity for commerce between Taiwan and Southwest
Virginia, holding discussions on regional products such as grass-fed beef, wine,
and low-sulfur coal.
“Our region of the state has suffered
for years due to the loss of manufacturing and textile jobs to other countries,”
Carrico said. “We have to think outside of the box to bring jobs and economic
development back to Southwest Virginia. This trip to Taiwan was an effort to do
just that. There are real chances for businesses in our region to sell their
products to the Taiwanese, and we have to capitalize.”
While on the trip, Carrico highlighted
Southwest Virginia products that are in high demand in Taiwan. “There is a lot
of interest in the grass-fed beef currently being raised in our area,” he said.
“There were also significant discussions around our low-sulfur coal and our wine
industry.” Carrico believes the trip will help lay the groundwork for future
economic development projects.
Carrico was invited to attend the trip
by the Taiwanese Consulate, who invested more than $20,000 in Washington County
for tornado relief in 2011. “They stepped up for my district when our own
federal government would not,” Carrico said. “I wanted to thank them in person,
and this trip was a perfect opportunity to do that and sell our region at the
same time.”
Carrico was joined on the trip by three
other Virginia legislators: Sen. Bryce Reeves (R-Fredericksburg), Del. Kathy
Byron (R-Lynchburg), and Del. David Ramadan (R-Dulles). The delegation was also
made up of legislators from West Virginia and Maryland. No taxpayer funds were
spent on the trip.
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