TROY, Mich., Jan. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Automation Alley, a technology business association driving growth in Southeast Michigan's economy, announced today it is accepting applications from companies to participate in its upcoming trade mission to China and Vietnam. The trade mission, scheduled for April 18-26, 2008, will visit Auto China 2008 in Beijing, China, and Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam.

China has a market of 1.3 million consumers, including an emerging middle class of 300 million, who are fueling demand for American-made products, services and technologies. Vietnam is Asia's second fastest-growing economy, just behind China, with a projected rate of gross domestic product growth reaching nine percent in 2008. "Automation Alley is dedicated to helping Southeast Michigan companies grow by helping develop international trade relationships," said Noel Nevshehir, director of international business services. "China and Vietnam are not just about low-cost manufacturing. Both countries have sophisticated, technologically adept and highly-skilled workforces that are creating innovative products for the global market."

Industries to be targeted on the trade mission include: advanced energy and power generation; engineering and design services; environmental and pollution control technologies; machine tools and industrial machinery; medical devices and equipment; and information technology software applications.

A growing wave of high-tech investors, including Cicso Systems, Dell, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, and Microsoft, are investing in Vietnam and are laying the foundation for the country to become Asia's new hotspot for electronics manufacturing, information technology, and software development. In China, automotive enterprises are looking to expand in Southeast Michigan to benefit from the region's research and development expertise, managerial know- how, global brands and distribution networks.

Southeast Michigan companies interested in attending the trade mission must be export-ready and conduct business in one of the industries previously noted. All Automation Alley trade missions include the U.S. Department of Commerce's Gold Key Service, which provides pre-screened, pre-qualified meetings based on a company's goals and objectives.

Automation Alley and U.S. Department of Commerce staff works closely to provide assistance to trade mission participants before, during and after the mission. The cost to attend is $7,995 per person and includes airfare, hotel, ground transportation, matchmaking meetings and other travel-related expenses.

Past Automation Alley trade missions to China, India, and Mexico have garnered more than $120 million in contracts for the region. In 2006, Wayne County Airport Authority's participation in the trade mission to China contributed in part to the success of China Southern Airlines offering daily, non-stop service between Detroit and Beijing in 2009. The regional economic impact is expected to be $95.6 million annually.

For more information on the trade mission or to apply, please contact the Automation Alley Resource Center at 1-800-427-5100 or info@automationalley.com.

The trade mission to China and Vietnam is sponsored by Miller, Canfield, Paddock, and Stone; the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce; GlobalAutoIndustry.com; Regus; and the U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Commercial Services.

About Automation Alley

Automation Alley is a technology business association driving the growth and image of Southeast Michigan's economy through a collaborative culture that focuses on workforce and business development initiatives.

Since its founding in 1999, Automation Alley has expanded to include more than 800 businesses, educational institutions and government entities, covering an eight county area and the City of Detroit. Automation Alley promotes regional prosperity through business attraction services, exporting assistance, workforce development and technology acceleration.

CONTACT: Michelle Zellen of Automation Alley, +1-248-457-3200,
zellenm@automationalley.com

Web site: http://www.globalautoindustry.com/