Longistics Launches SIP International Commodities Exhibition Center In Suzhou, China

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., Dec. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Longistics (http://www.longistics.com) has announced plans to offer business development opportunities for exhibitors at Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP) by establishing the SIP International Commodities Exhibition Center, set to open March 1, 2011. The Center will generate opportunities that accelerate the export of products from North Carolina and U.S.-based companies to China. Current plans call for Longistics to add 50 companies at the Center within the first year of operations, and 500 companies by five years.

The SIP International Commodities Exhibition Center will allow small- and medium-sized businesses an easy and cost-effective way to gain access to China, the third largest market for American exports after Canada and Mexico. Exhibitors at the Center will be able to display products in bonded, secure areas and benefit from regular events held at local, national and international levels to bring potential buyers to the Center, as well as to two N.C. Foreign Trade Zones operated by Longistics – FTZ 214, located in the Global TransPark near Kinston, N.C., and FTZ 93, located in Research Triangle Park.

This announcement occurs on the first anniversary of a business delegation visit to China Oct. 14-27, 2009, by Gov. Bev Perdue, Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco and other leaders in North Carolina to encourage more trade between the nation and the state. In 2008, China imported $1.9 billion worth of North Carolina goods, making it the state's second-largest trade partner after Canada and representing a 250 percent increase over the past three years.

"During my trade mission to China last year, I saw firsthand the vast potential the Chinese economy holds for North Carolina businesses. I congratulate Longistics and the Chinese government on making this strategic partnership a reality," said Gov. Perdue. "The Center will generate greater investments in our state and create more jobs for North Carolinians, beyond the 2,500 currently employed by Chinese businesses."

"The SIP International Commodities Exhibition Center offers a great opportunity for North Carolina companies to gain international exposure in China," said Duane and Pat Long, creators and respectively chairman and vice chairman of Longistics. "The Center will help our state remain globally competitive today and into the future. This is the opportunity to enter China many businesses across America have been waiting for. The exporting advantages it provides are unlimited, particularly in offering intellectual property right protection for goods to be exported."

ABOUT LONGISTICS:

Located in Research Triangle Park, Longistics is a full-service provider of global logistics solutions that specializes in cold-chain logistical support and problem solving services for a broad range of manufacturers and distributors of high value, high security products. A leading provider of third-party logistics, Longistics has a worldwide reach and growing presence in China and other emerging markets around the world. For more information, visit http://www.longistics.com.

Jake Potter

MMI Public Relations

(919) 233-6600

[email protected]

SOURCE Longistics