That interest remains keen on ourpart as well

ClaireMcCaskill, state and local governmental and business leaders and members of thenewly formed Commission in announcing both the new trip to Beijing and theMidwest/China Hub Commission, a public/private entity that will operate bothhere and in Beijing. In a sign of their significance, the announcements came onthe first day of the Chinese New Year. That interest remains keen on ourpart as well." "With the world economy in a slump," Sen. Bond said, "now is the time to beexpanding markets for Midwest products and opening up new opportunities forMissouri workers. The Midwest Air Cargo and Air Freight Hub at Lambert will dojust that." "This new Commission means that we here in the St.

Louis area and in Missouriwill be united as we seek to make the most of the opportunity we believe wehave," Sen McCaskill said. "The Commission will make it easy for China to dealwith us, and it will make it easier for us to deal with them. It will accelerateour work toward our ultimate goal - creating more jobs for people in the St.Louis area and across our state. " "We are extremely honored that Ambassador Zhou would come to St. Louis for thisannouncement on the first day of the Chinese New Year," said Daniel Mehan,president of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry. During a trip by local and state leaders to Beijinglast spring, local and state leaders and Chinese governmental officials signedtwo memoranda of understanding. The first, with Chinas Investment Promotion Agency and Trade DevelopmentBureau, called for efforts to expand trade, promote Chinese investment, andprovide a location for U.S.

operations for Chinese companies in this part of theUnited States. The second, with Chinas Civil Aviation Administration, calledfor a joint assessment of the feasibility of establishing an air freight andpassenger hub at Lambert International Airport. The Commission expects to share results from the latter assessment to theChinese soon. Initial indications from preliminary studies are encouraging, saidRichard C.D Fleming, president and CEO of the St Louis Regional Chamber andGrowth Association (RCGA) "We are convinced that making St. Louis region in fact has unique aviation capacity to serve Chinathrough both Lambert International and MidAmerica Airport." The Commission was formed by three governmental entities - the State ofMissouri, St Louis County and the City of St.

Louis - and several private orprivate-civic ones - the RCGA, the regions chamber of commerce and economicdevelopment organization; the World Trade Center of St. Louis; the MissouriPartnership, a non-profit that support state economic development; the MissouriChamber of Commerce and Industry; and the St. Louis County Economic Council.Additional members may be added later. Each member of the Commission has pledged to contribute staff expertise andfunding. Additional dollars will be sought in the form of federal and stategrants Michael Jones, chief policy advisor for St Louis County, is chairman of theCommission Plans are for Fleming and Mehan to serve as vice chairs. For Midwest/China Hub CommissionPaul Wagman, 314-982-1726 Copyright Business Wire 2009.