Date: May 31, 2002	Contact: Darren Pudgil
	tel: (619) 531-5894

OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE NEW ASIA DESK AT WORLD TRADE CENTER
Resource Will Help Local Companies Expand to China, Philippines and Korea

SAN DIEGO – Recognizing the enormous potential
in Asia for San Diego businesses, Supervisor Ron Roberts,
San Diego World Trade Center Chair Richard S. Ledford and a
host of business leaders today announced the creation of the Asia
Desk, a full-service fully-staffed resource that will provide expertise and assistance to local companies who are looking to expand overseas.

“All across Asia, and particularly in China where capitalism is emerging, there is a wealth of opportunity for San Diego businesses,” said Supervisor Roberts, who secured $100,000 in county funding for the project.

“China has one of the fastest growing consumer markets in the world and this new Asia Desk will help connect
our companies with these consumers.”

“The Asia Desk will play a critical role in assuring the success of San Diego businesses as they expand into the Asian market,” said Richard S. Ledford, Chair of the San Diego World Trade Center.

The Asia Desk will be located at the downtown offices of the San Diego World Trade Center, 1250 Sixth Avenue. The Asia Desk will include a furnished office with phone, fax and computer with high-speed Internet connections.

To oversee the Asia Desk a manager will soon join the World Trade Center, who will bring first-hand experience of international trade and business development with Asia.

The manager will consult corporate executives, organize seminars, and will be responsible for creating an Asian web page with helpful information and a calendar of events. The staff will be fluent in English and at least one Asian language.

For more information about the Asia Desk, please contact Hugh Constant at the World Trade Center at (619) 615-0868 or via e-mail at hconstant@sdwtc.org