Citing at a trade conference last week the extraordinary jump in Georgia exports to Asia, particularly to China from 1992-1994, Pin Pin Chau, president and CEO of Summit National Bank, said that strong sales of tobacco and agricultural equipment would be important factors in its continued growth.
A report issued recently by the U.S. Census Bureau’s foreign trade division said that Georgia exports to China grew during the two year period by more than 215%.
Ms. Chau spoke of the strong links developing between her bank’s customers in Georgia and Asian markets. Although she declined to name the company, she said that one of her customers had seen its chicken exports to China double.
In addition to promoting relationships with Asian firms, the Summit bank has sought to assist its customers who want to trade in Asia by offering import/export letters of credit, international collection and foreign exchange services.
She added that the Summit Bank, which began operations in 1988, maintains close ties with Atlanta’s Asian community, estimated at more than 110,000, with roughly half of its customer base comprised of Asians.
The conference entitled “Challenges to Asia’s Growth” was held at the Georgia State Capitol.