(Media Release) Two dozen consular and trade officials from 23 countries will visit business and hospitality centers in Rome and Floyd County on March 28 during Georgia's 27th annual International VIP Tour.
The tour, which combines travel destinations with prominent economic development projects and business communities, is the only event in the state that enables the bulk of Georgia's diplomatic corps to meet local Georgians in their own communities. The event benefits both the participants and the host regions: it enhances the consular corps' understanding of Georgia's business and tourism assets, and offers communities the opportunity to establish international business relationships.
"I welcome this group of consular and trade officials to Rome and Floyd County," said Rome Mayor Evie McNiece, Accounting Solutions Plus. "I am sure that they will see why Rome and Floyd County is a great place to live, work and conduct business."
"I look forward to these officials exploring the beauty of Floyd County and seeing all of the great benefits we have to offer," said Floyd County Commission Chairman Irwin Bagwell.
This year's VIP Tour will visit and tour The Darlington School, Suzuki Manufacturing of North America and Berry College during their stops in Rome and Floyd County.
"The International VIP tour means a lot to Suzuki and its employees because it demonstrates a vote of confidence by the international, state and local communities and strong support for our product, our brand, and our presence here in Rome and Floyd County. It also serves to remind us what a great decision it was to choose Rome as the international home of the KingQuad. We are proud to participate in this tour showcasing all that Rome and Floyd County have to offer to potential foreign investors," Alan Horne, Suzuki Manufacturing of America.
This year's VIP Tour will include representatives from Albania, the Bahamas, Belgium, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, the Czech Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, India, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Nigeria, The Phillipines, Quebec, Sweden and Switzerland.
"As Chairman of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce's International Business Council, and President of Suhner, a Swiss-based manufacturer, I can attest to the welcoming atmosphere that Rome and Floyd County offers international companies," said Paul Luthi, Suhner Manufacturing.
The Consular Corps of Georgia consists of consuls general, consuls, honorary consuls and trade commissioners representing 70 countries. Career officials are members of their country's foreign services while honorary officials are local residents appointed by foreign governments to perform consular duties. Most consulates offer assistance to nationals from their respective countries in the areas of tourist visas, business visa, renewal of passports, legalization of documents, and other official matters.
"We are blessed to have a number of international businesses in Rome and Floyd County, and we are happy that there are also a large number of Rome-based businesses that export products," said Chamber Chairman of the Board Angie Lewis, Citizens First Bank. "Having the consular and trade officials touring our community allows them to see additional opportunities firsthand."
Currently more than 50 countries operate almost 3,000 internationally owned facilities in Georgia, employing more than 170,000 Georgians. With a record $34.7 billion in exports in 2011, Georgia is now the 12th largest exporting state in the nation.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development contributed to this release.
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