Senator Yancey McGill (D-Kingstree), chairman of the Executive Committee of the North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA), recently led the South Carolina state delegation to Tokyo, Japan, for the 33rd annual joint meeting of the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association and the Southeast U.S./Japan Association (SEUS). SEUS, which was established in December 1975 and includes the southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, attracts over 500 participants from both the public and private sectors. The purpose of SEUS is to promote trade and build business relationships between Japan and the Southeastern U.S.
At SEUS, McGill was part of a panel along with others such as Governor Phil Bredesen (Tennessee) and Governor Bev Perdue (North Carolina). He also gave a presentation on behalf of the state and recognized the strong commitment and the relationship Japan and the state have.  “A large part of South Carolina’s success is due to its relationship with Japan,” said McGill. “The State of South Carolina has enjoyed a strong Japanese presence within its business community. This has been a rich, vibrant relationship with Japan spanning for more than 60 years.”
He also noted NESA’s commitment to Japan. McGill said, “NESA has conducted numerous trips to Japan to support our existing Japanese companies and find others that can develop a competitive business advantage by locating in our portion of South Carolina. We are very serious about the relationships we have developed without Japanese counterparts.”
Along with leading South Carolina’s delegation to the conference, McGill and other members of NESA including NESA Executive Committee member Senator Hugh Leatherman (R-Florence), Jeff McKay, NESA’s Executive Director and Mark Williams, Economic Advisor to NESA, met with companies outside of the conference on both Japan and China to discuss potential investment opportunities within the nine-county region such as Honda, Kyocera, Metglas and Highlands Industries, Inc. as well as companies that would consider locating manufacturing, assembly or distribution facilities in the region.
“Our sole purpose of this mission to Asia was to bring back jobs and opportunities for the citizens of this area,” said McGill. Now, more than ever, it is important for us to be aggressive in seeking opportunities for economic growth and prosperity wherever they may be. It was my distinct pleasure to lead the South Carolina delegation to SEUS this year and to continue this region’s; legacy of building relationships with companies such as Firestone Products who make such a big impact in the lives of so many of our residents.”