Beebe Returns From China with Leads

Gov. Mike Beebe returned from China with a couple of leads.

Beebe briefed reporters on his 12-day China trade mission, from which he returned Tuesday, and said he’s optimistic for future investment in Arkansas from two Chinese companies. One deal would involve timber in south Arkansas, the other retail in northwest Arkansas, and one company is closer to making a decision than the other, he noted.

Those were all the details that could be provided without jeopardizing the potential deals, but Beebe said he met with a total of 11 companies and with both government officials and private business leaders. The firms represented a wide range of goods and services — the automobile industry, information technology, consumer goods and heavy equipment.

"Some were optimistic," Beebe said of the prospects of doing business with the state. "Some, we’re just getting our foot in the door."

Beebe said French officials have contacted his office about a trip to France this summer. The subject of the visit would be agriculture. Beebe said plans are "very preliminary," but the trip would last no more than a few days and would be paid for by the French.

Much has happened in Arkansas since Beebe left. The state was embroiled last week in the Bobby Petrino controversy. Beebe, of course, was asked about it.

"It’s sad for everybody," he said. "I certainly support what Jeff Long did. What Coach Petrino did will leave a mark on the university, but what Jeff Long did will leave a bigger and more lasting mark."

Asked about the recent reaffirmation by the Arkansas Lottery Commission of a controversial contract with vendor Scientific Games, Beebe said the move was legal, but "not right." Channeling Razorback football once more, Beebe cited former Hog coach Lou Holtz’ "do right" rule.

Other notes from his China trip:

• Beebe said a previous visit to China by Lt. Gov. Mark Darr proved helpful. He said Chinese officials remembered Darr.
• Beebe met with officials from the Chinese operations of Arkansas-based companies Wal-Mart and Tyson Foods. He was given a tour of a Chinese Wal-Mart and said the associates there did the same Wal-Mart cheer seen in America, only, of course, in Chinese. "They have that Wal-Mart work ethic down," he said.
• Americans and Chinese don’t appear to share shopping habits. Beebe said Chinese shoppers hit the store once or twice a day and emphasize fresh food more, whereas Americans tend to make bigger shopping runs once a week.
• About 65 percent of American purchases, he was told, are merchandise-related. Food takes up the remaining 35 percent. In China, that ratio is about 70 percent food, 30 percent merchandise. Arkansas companies like Wal-Mart and Tyson with huge operations in China respond accordingly.
• Beebe said all the Chinese people he encountered were very engaging and seemed genuinely happy to see Americans. "That struck me," he said.