Contact: Paula Weis
(202) 974-5282

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SPI TRADE MISSION TO EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES, COMPETITIVE FORCES IN CHINA

WASHINGTON (March 9, 2004) - The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) today announced its plans to host a trade mission to the influential plastics processing districts of Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shanghai, China.

Co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce, the educational tour will take place June 21 - July 1 and will provide participants with a first-hand look at business opportunities and competitive threats in China. The agenda includes customized market and industry briefings by government agencies and representatives from U.S.-based companies and a number of meetings with key government officials and industry associations. Additionally, the trade mission will include tours of various plastics plants and plastics-related educational facilities throughout China as well as admission to ChinaPlas 2004, the International Exhibition on the Plastics and Rubber Industries.

Participants may also take part in "matchmaking" conferences, where they will be paired with their counterparts from Asian companies. "Matches" will be pre-screened by the DOC, based on criteria provided by individual SPI member participants.

The trade mission is part of SPI's ongoing strategy to address the critical issue of global competitiveness and the sizeable impact that trade with China has on the U.S. plastics processing industry.

"The net trade deficit of plastics contained in all manufactured goods from China grew at a 16.4 percent annual rate from 1997 to 1992, resulting in a 55-percent trade deficit with China," said Lori Anderson, SPI's Strategic Planning and Industry Relations Officer. "This trade mission will help participants understand this economic dynamic better and be better prepared to compete here in the United States."

The cost of registration for the trade mission is $6,500 per person for SPI members and $9,500 per person for non-members. Registration fees include hotel, receptions, interpreters and mission-related air and ground transportation while in Hong Kong and main land China. The deadline for applications is Friday, June 4. For more information or to register, contact Risikat Okedeyi, (202) 974-5333; rokedeyi@socplas.org.

Founded in 1937, The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc., is the trade association representing one of the largest manufacturing industries in the United States. SPI's members represent the entire plastics industry supply chain, including processors, machinery and equipment manufacturers and raw materials suppliers. The U.S. plastics industry employs 1.4 million workers and provides nearly $310 billion in annual shipments. For more information, visit SPI on the Web at www.plasticsindustry.org.

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