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Gov. Bev Perdue is on her way to Japan to drum up business for the state.
Perdue and state Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco are leading a delegation to the 35th annual Southeast U.S./Japan joint meeting in Tokyo, according to her office. While there, Perdue and commerce officials will meet with export clients and businesses seeking new investments. After he leaves Japan, Crisco will take a two-day business recruitment trip to China.
Gov. Bev Perdue departs tomorrow for an Asian trade mission to China and Japan. It will be her second trip to China in 2 1/2 years.
The question this time, amid the economic realities, is whether the trip is worthwhile. Perdue said yes. "This is the most robust economy in the world right now. North Carolina has to have a relationship with them," she said recently. "So it sounds like a lot of money. I know its a lot of money. But the only way we can build this international trade alliance is through personal contacts."
The commerce department also suggested that Honda Jet's recent expansion to its Greensboro facility is credited to the governor's previous trip to China. "There are significant leads we are spending time on while we are in Asia," said commerce department spokesman Tim Crowley.
The state budgeted $40,000 for the trip with another $60,000 coming from the commerce department's nonprofit -- the North Carolina Commerce Trade and Development Fund.
Led by Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco, the nonprofit takes unlimited contributions from outside business interests, including some that lobby the governor and general assembly on legislation and policy. The commerce fund will pay for the receptions and gifts for foreign leaders, Crowley said.
The state's portion does not include money for a security detail, he added, which could cost about $20,000.
Perdue's husband and Crisco's wife will also travel to China but will pay their own way. The state bought the governor and secretary economy tickets on American Airlines and any upgrades are paid for from personal funds, Crowley said.
State commerce officials say Gov. Beverly Perdue's upcoming trip to Asia, which is being paid for in part by private benefactors, does not violate state ethics rules that forbid elected officials from receiving gifts.
Kathy Neal, spokeswoman for the state Department of Commerce, said in an e-mail to Dome that all travel costs for the state delegation will be paid for with an estimated $76,700 in taxpayer money. State funds will also be used to provide a van and driver, interpreters and business cards in both Japanese and Chinese.
Private donors, meanwhile, will pick up the $94,730 tab for hosting five functions in Japan and China, along with other promotional and entertainment expenses.
First Gentleman Bob Eaves, who is accompanying his wife on the trip, will pay his own way.
The delegation is scheduled to depart Thursday. For the record, the governor is flying commercial.
UPDATE: A spokesman for Gov. Perdue on Wednesday clarified a statement from earlier in the week, saying that the travel expenses for the state's first gentleman will be covered by the N.C. Democratic Party.
