Charleston, SC - A cooperative agreement between the South Carolina State Ports Authority (SCSPA) and a Hong Kong-based company with port and infrastructure interests throughout North Asia was signed today in an effort to boost trade, particularly in agricultural commodities, between the two groups' respective ports.
Representatives from the Dandong Port Group Co., Ltd. visited the Port of Charleston earlier today to discuss ways to generate new business connections and better partner in infrastructure development. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Dandong Port Group Company, Ltd. and the SCSPA outlines a number of joint initiatives the two may undertake to promote trade between their respective port facilities, including joint marketing and business development efforts and other information sharing.
"China is clearly a growing trading partner of our port with many opportunities for trade growth, particularly on the export side," said Jim Newsome, president and CEO of the SCSPA. "This agreement formalizes our cooperation in building ties between our two nations and between our ports."
"We look forward to collaborating with our colleagues in Charleston, South Carolina, and to increasing economic prosperity for both our regions," said Wenliang Wang, chairman of the Dandong Port Group Co., Ltd.
While in Charleston, the group toured the Wando Welch Terminal and its grain transload operation. Last month, the Scoular Company established a grain handling facility onsite, where grain is conveyed into international shipping containers for export. Based on growing market demand, Scoular could export more than 25 million pounds of product annually. Two other such facilities also operate in Charleston today.
Dandong Port Group Co. is a holding company based in Hong Kong with port and infrastructure assets throughout North Asia, including the Port of Dandong, which is located in the Liaoning Province.