BEIJING – Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue cut the ribbon today to open Georgia's newest international economic development center, located in Beijing, China, the governor's office announced.

The Beijing Georgia Business Advisory Center Company, Ltd. will spearhead business development between China and Georgia.

“China holds tremendous potential for Georgia businesses, and Georgia offers exactly the kind of business-friendly environment Chinese companies seek,” Perdue said in a written statement. “The center's formal opening signals a new era of commercial enterprise for Georgia as it reaches out to the world's most dynamic economy.”

The business advisory center, located in Beijing's Central Business (Chaoyang) District, will introduce the state's opportunities in commerce and tourism destinations to the world's fastest-growing economy. The center is intended to help Chinese companies find foreign direct investment opportunities in Georgia; assist Georgia companies find new export partners in Chinese markets; and introduce Georgia's tourism destinations to Chinese travelers.

The Beijing center joins Georgia's international offices in Japan, Korea, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Israel, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Canada. The state opened its first international office in Japan in 1975.

The ribbon-cutting for the new center was the business highlight of a 60-member delegation Perdue led to Beijing in conjunction with the inaugural flight of Delta Air Lines' new direct flight to Shanghai.

The opening of the center was attended by Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel and other members of the delegation, in addition to Beijing dignitaries including Mr. William Brekke, Commercial Counselor of the U.S. Embassy, and Mr. Xu Hubin, Deputy Secretary General of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

Georgia businesses interested in doing business with China should call the Georgia Department of Economic Development at 404-962-4000 or click here to go to the www.global-georgia.org website.