Columbus Co. welcomes Chinese business leaders | News

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - This week, entrepreneurs and elected officials in Columbus County are welcoming nearly a dozen lawmakers from China, hoping that the visits will continue to help bring jobs to the county.

Despite the Chinese delegation having a translator, there is still a language barrier between them and the people they have met so far in Columbus County, but in the end, entrepreneurs and those who are visiting from Zhaoyuan City, China believe it's a trip that's going to benefit both places.

Whiteville Mayor Terry Mann welcomed a mayor from Zhaoyuan City with a gift during a luncheon at the Museum of Forestry on Monday.

At the luncheon, several entrepreneurs got the chance to tell the group of Chinese officials a little bit about their companies.

Afterwards, the Chinese delegation went to Whiteville Fabric with Columbus County Economic Director Gary Lanier, where they continued touring factories around the county.

"I think it would help get our name out a little bit more…also help put us together with international businesses from China and different areas," said Camron Shodja, owner of Whiteville Fabric.

Whiteville Fabric has 40 employees and makes material for the inside of vehicles.

"We've lost a lot of our industry to China over the last 15 years," said Shodja. "We're looking to hopefully bring some of it back. A lot of the programs [that] are made in the U.S. have a lot more technology. Maybe we can share technology and improve growth at the same time."

After touring the facility, one of the Chinese officials used a translator to talk about the impression they have on Columbus County.

"Columbus County is a good place," said Yongliang Yu, with the Zhaoyuan Development and Innovation Bureau. "The environment is beautiful and people are kind here. Agriculture has a lot of history. I find good opportunities for our corporations in tire, lumber, food processing, and others."

Despite the language barrier, many folks in the county hope that the trip is more than what words can ever say.

"I think it will help the entire county," said Sodja. "They can build a bond and relationship with another country and help bring more industries. It could help a lot."

 While the group from China toured the eastern side of the county Monday, they will tour companies on the western side Tuesday.

While they're in America, they'll also visit New York and Canada.

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