This week international trade officials are visiting Central and Western Georgia. They’ll look at business opportunities outside Atlanta.

Every year the Georgia Department of Economic Development sponsors the tour. This year the group will visit Macon, Perry, Columbus and Lagrange. Visitors represent Nearly 70 nations.

Chris Young is the state’s Chief of protocol. He says the tour helps local economic development officials make important contacts.

“The needs of South Georgia, or the mountains, or Central Georgia, or the coast are very different than Atlanta. And also the key point of this is the economic development and the investment and trade opportunities are different in different parts of the state.”

Young says they also plan to visit businesses, schools, and tourism sites. Last year Georgia set a record for exports of close to 29-billion dollars.

Tags: Mercer University, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia trade, Georgia exports