[Comm-Council] NEWS RELEASE: Governor Promotes Trade in South Korea

[GRIGGS Chane D * DAS DO]

Theodore R. Kulongoski

          Governor

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 26, 2006  

 

Contact:

Lonn Hoklin (503.378.6169 or 503.559.1034)

Mary Ellen Glynn (503.378.4656 or 917.757.7378)

 

Governor promotes trade, Oregon-built helicopters to Koreans

Agenda includes 'helitankers,' tractors, semi-conductors, shipping and
food

 

Seoul, Republic of Korea-Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski met with Korean
forestry officials Monday and urged them to strengthen their fleet of
Oregon-built Erickson Air-Crane helicopters, used for fighting
wildfires.  

 

"The Erickson Air-Crane has proved itself here in Korea and around the
world-wherever wildfires threaten lives, homes, natural resources and
national treasures," the Governor said.  "Today I thanked the Republic
of Korea's Office of Forestry for being a valuable Oregon customer, and
I encouraged Korean leaders to purchase more Air-Cranes.  I also urged
them to take advantage of Oregon's expertise and technology in fighting
wildfires."

 

Erickson Air-Crane of Central Point, Oregon, manufactures the giant
Air-Crane Helitanker, which is the world's most versatile, powerful, and
cost-effective aerial firefighter. Since 1992, the Helitanker has seen
service in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Borneo, Italy, Greece,
France, Turkey, and Australia, as well as the Republic of Korea.  The
company employs 550 people in Oregon.

 

The Governor noted that Korea has purchased two of the giant
helicopters, presently in use.  But he urged the Korean government to
follow through on plans to buy two more, at $23 million, in order to
strengthen that mountainous nation's worsening problem with wildfires.
Last year, wildfire destroyed the historic Naksan-sa Buddhist temple, a
national treasure, which caused a public outcry.

 

"I stressed that Oregon stands ready to help Korea address the challenge
of wildfires," the Governor said.  "We offer not only the world's best
heavy-lift helicopter-tankers for getting water and retardant to the
fire, but also the technology, support services and know-how.  Oregon
has a long history of fighting large wildfires, and we know how to do it
right."

 

Marketing the Erickson Air-Crane and other fire-fighting products and
services helps bolster Oregon's economy and create new jobs, the
Governor said, while reinforcing the state's reputation as a source of
equipment, expertise and technology for fighting wildfires.

 

TYM tractors in Redmond

 

The Governor also met with executives of the TYM corporation, the
world's leading builder of compact tractors.  The company recently
opened a 20,000-square-foot facility in Redmond, Oregon, where it
completes final assembly and distribution of its tractors to 11 western
states.  The Redmond plant is TYM's first North American facility.  

 

"I thanked TYM for choosing central Oregon," the Governor said, "and I
expressed confidence that this great company will be successful there.
I emphasized that the state of Oregon is ready to assist TYM in
expanding and adding facilities in Oregon."

 

The Governor told the TYM executives he understands that new
construction requires a large investment in capital and staff time, and
that such investments carry some risk.  

 

"I intend to help reduce that risk by ensuring a smooth planning
process, and by making Oregon's incentive programs readily available,"
the Governor said.  "Helping companies like TYM means a stronger economy
for central Oregon, with better jobs and a brighter future for the
families who live there."

 

Hynix and Hanjin

 

The Governor met with officials of Hynix, a leading semi-conductor maker

that operates a large manufacturing plant in Eugene, where it employs
1,100 Oregonians. He underscored the state's commitment to assisting the
company with workforce training and offered to help develop prospects
for Hynix's future expansion in Oregon.

 

"Hynix is a wonderful corporate citizen that I'm proud to have in
Oregon," the Governor.  "I want to ensure that this company can expand
its investment in our state, and that we can count on its presence for
decades to come."

 

At a meeting with top officials of Hanjin, a global-scale ocean-shipping
line, the Governor voiced Oregon's deep appreciation of the company's
commitment to doing business at the Port of Portland, where it handles
large import accounts with Fred Meyer, Columbia Sportswear, Nike, Dollar
Tree and Kroger stores.  The Governor emphasized Oregon's investment in
improvements to its transportation infrastructure through Connect
Oregon, and the Port's purchase of large "Post-Panamax" cranes to handle
container cargo shipped by Hanjin.

 

Oregon foods

 

In a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Seoul's Chosun Hotel, the Governor
kicked off a major promotion of Oregon foods.  The promotional menu
included black cod, Dungeness crab and pink shrimp caught off the Oregon
cost, as well as Oregon-grown sweet blueberries.

 

"I know Korean consumers will appreciate the excellent quality of
Oregon's many fine foods," the Governor said.  "I'm confident we can
expand the export of these products to Korea."

 

-30-

 

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