Slay, Dooley court Chinese delegation in hopes of establishing hub
KSDK
November 2, 2010
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley met with delegates from China in hopes of luring a Midwest-Cargo Hub to Lambert.
Officials with Civil Aviation Administration of China, China Air Transport Association and Chinese Cargo Airlines were on hand to hear the pitch by local leaders.
Slay and Dooley want to establish the St. Louis region as a hub for increased trade to China including airline routes and Midwest export opportunities.
Mayor Slay told the delegates that other big cities in the United States already have too much international influence, and choosing St. Louis would allow China to make the first move in the city.
"We can help China win its rightful place and rightful share in the US-China freight market and develop the infrastructure to enable Chinese companies to add value to their exports, develop logistics centers and access food and other raw materials needed for China's development," Slay said.
