Fort Erie, Ontario April 10, 2000 - A number of North American businesses have solidified contacts and built a valuable foundation for future growth in Asia, after PBB Global Logistics' recent trade mission to China; the first privately-led trade mission of its kind. More than 20 businesses from across the continent participated in China: Trade Mission 2000, which took place March 9-25, 2000.

Delegates visited key city centres, including Hong Kong, Jiangmen, Nanning, Xiamen, Tongxiang, Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing. Mission participants, representing a cross-section of North American industry, met with potential business partners, government officials, governors and mayors at each stop.

Members of the mission made valuable high level contacts, establishing the foundation for future opportunities. "In China, personal relationships are the key to business success," says Mike Scott, PBB Executive Vice President, PBB Global Logistics. "Participants came home having made, first-hand, hundreds of potential partnerships and contacts. With active follow-up, participants can take full advantage of the groundwork laid during the mission. In fact, deals and partnerships have been developing since our return, some members stayed on in China, and others have already had contact with the people they've met."

"The mission provided SR Instruments an affordable way to investigate new product distribution networks and venture opportunities because of the advance work and diligence of PBB's team," says Teresa Eyring, Marketing Manager, SR Instruments Inc.

SR Instruments, The Shopping Channel and The Alliance of Manufacturers & Exporters Canada are among those participants who made valuable contacts on the trade mission. "The PBB Mission provided the Alliance with an excellent opportunity to learn more about the Chinese economy and to identify areas of business potential for member firms," says Doreen Ruso, Vice President International Trade Development, Alliance of Manufacturers & Exporters Canada.

Normally it would take years to develop these kind of business and personal relationships in China. Over the last 10 years, PBB has formed a reputable presence in China, building lasting associations with government officials and business leaders. With its network base and solid reputation in the Chinese marketplace, PBB provided the opportunity for other North American businesses to break into this new market.

In addition to meeting high-level government officials, mission participants had occasion to meet with many local companies doing business in similar industries, having been carefully matched with a pool of potential customers, suppliers and other business partners. PBB's logistics experts were also on hand to assist in the deliberations, providing immediate answers to key trade and transportation issues.

"Our reputation followed us from city to city, reports on our activities and conferences preceded us, and at every stop we were welcomed with open arms", says Scott. "The timing for this trade mission couldn't have been better, as China's anticipated accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) is opening many doors for North American corporations to enter this expanding market."

With the outstanding results of China: Trade Mission 2000, PBB plans to offer other opportunities and trade missions in the future.

PBB Global Logistics employs more than 1,000 people in 70 locations throughout North America. It offers fully integrated global logistics services including: International Freight Forwarding, Customs Brokerage, Warehousing and Distribution, North American Shipping, e-globallogistics.com^TM, Trade and Regulatory Services, Corporate Audit, International Mail Order Systems and Corporate Travel through a world-wide network of automated facilities. It is one of Canada's "50 Best Managed Private Companies".