
Condoleezza Rice to address SEUS Japan 38 joint forum in Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Dr. Condoleezza Rice, the 66th U.S. Secretary of State, will deliver the keynote address at a November joint meeting of groups that seek to promote trade, investment and cultural exchange between seven Southeastern states and Japan. Dr. Rice, a Birmingham native who served as the chief U.S. diplomat from 2005 to 2009…

TPA fast track would remove trade barriers, expand Alabama exports
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Alabama’s economy stands to gain investment and jobs if new trade agreements with Asian and European countries go into effect, but the fate of those treaties is caught up in the contentious debate over whether President Obama should be given fast-track authority to negotiate deals. The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved…

Regions Financial CEO Grayson Hall to chair SEUS Japan joint forum
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Grayson Hall, who leads Alabama’s only Fortune 500 company, has been named the 2015-16 private sector chairman for the Southeast U.S.-Japan Association as the group prepares for a joint meeting in Alabama with its Japanese counterpart. Hall, who serves as chairman, president and chief executive officer of Regions Financial Corp., will lead…

Alabama, Peru strengthen economic ties with agreement
MONTGOMERY, Alabama — A trade memorandum signed today will strengthen economic ties between Alabama and Peru, setting the stage for increased cooperation between the state and the South American nation. Alabama Governor Robert Bentley and Peru’s Ambassador to the United States, Harold Forsyth, formalized the agreement when they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during a…

Alabama to promote bioscience sector on Europe trade mission
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield will lead a business development and trade mission to Belgium and The Netherlands next week that showcases Alabama’s capabilities in bioscience and research. The Alabama delegation heading to Europe on the five-day mission beginning Monday is made up of bioscience companies, research organizations, trade experts, and economic development…

GD Copper project showcases Alabama economic development support system
PINE HILL, Alabama – A $100 million, ultra-modern manufacturing facility near this small Wilcox County town has begun turning out copper tubing for heating and cooling systems, appliances, refrigeration units and plumbing. The GD Copper USA plant also is responsible for a completely different kind of product – renewed optimism in one of Alabama’s most…

Alabama officials welcome Golden Dragon’s first U.S. factory
PINE HILL, Alabama – Top Alabama officials today welcomed leaders of Golden Dragon Precise Copper Tube Group at a ribbon cutting for the Chinese company’s first U.S. factory, a $100 million plant in Wilcox County that just started production but could soon be growing. At the grand opening ceremony for the factory, operated by subsidiary…

Alabama delegation builds ties on Southeast Asia trade mission (video)
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – On a Southeast Asia trade mission, Alabama business officials today established new ties to counterparts in Bangkok, Thailand, while the state’s economic development leader held talks with a key Thai finance official about expanding investment and trade. The Alabama delegation arrived late Saturday in Jakarta, Indonesia, for three days of activities before…

Alabama scores high in Site Selection’s economic development success rankings
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – After landing a series of major projects in 2013, Alabama scored high in Site Selection’s economic development success rankings, claiming the No. 7 spot for the most new and expanded facilities per capita last year, according to an announcement today from the magazine. In addition, Site Selection ranked three Alabama cities –…

Alabama investment by Japanese firms tops $4 billion as expansions continue
MONTGOMERY, Alabama – As Governor Robert Bentley begins four days of talks with Japanese corporate leaders on an economic development mission, business ties between Alabama and the Asian country are strengthening as several Japanese firms add new investment to expand their operations in the state. In Alabama, many Japanese manufacturers have found a U.S. base…


