Event Preceding ChinaPlas 2008 Aims to Enhance Strategic Cooperation and Explore Trade and Investment Opportunities within China and the United States

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 12, 2008): The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI) will sponsor a China-U.S. Plastics Industry Summit on April 16, 2008, co-organized with the China Plastics Processing Industry Association (CPPIA), China Plastic Machinery Industry Association, Shanghai Society of Plastics Industry and Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd. The one-day trade summit, to be held at the Renaissance Shanghai Pudong Hotel, will immediately precede the opening day of ChinaPlas 2008, Asia's largest plastics and rubber trade fair.

The summit plans to foster better ties between the U.S. and Chinese plastics industries, as well as discuss bilateral trade development and investment opportunities. Planned sessions include an overview of U.S. and Chinese development trends, resources required for a successful partnership and U.S. government resources available to assist exporters. During an afternoon panel discussion, both U.S. and Chinese companies will share their experiences and best practices for successful U.S.-China collaboration.

The U.S. plastic industry exported $2.8 billion to China in 2006, the third largest export market behind Canada and Mexico. U.S. exports to China grew by more than 112 percent in the three-year period from 2003 to 2006, and were on track as of the end of November to grow by almost 40 percent in 2007. "The growth of the Chinese market over the past decade has been incredible and offers U.S. plastics companies the potential for lucrative business ventures," said SPI Senior Director for International Trade and Trade Counsel Neil Pratt. "We hope the China-U.S. plastics summit will offer a frank discussion of both the challenges and opportunities facing U.S. companies in the Chinese market today."

For more details, including information on participant fees, how to register and the complete agenda, visit SPI online at http://www.plasticsindustry.org/public/uschinasummit.htm.

For additional information, contact SPI's Director of International Trade Amy Sherman at asherman@plasticsindustry.org or 1-202-974-5219.

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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 1.1 million workers and provides nearly $379 billion in annual shipments.