Credit: AP

Nebraska is opening a trade office in Shanghai to attract Chinese investment and promote state businesses.

Gov. Dave Heineman signed an agreement Thursday with a quasi-governmental Chinese organization that helps companies expand abroad. The new office's staff will work with the Shanghai Small to Medium Enterprises Center for International Cooperation, which has more than 300,000 members.

Nebraska Department of Labor Director Catherine Lang says the state will spend $50,000 annually to maintain the office over a three-year period, giving them time to evaluate its success.

Heineman is in China this week on a trade mission with economic development officials and business leaders. The governor's office says Nebraska has had 29 international investments from 12 countries over the last four years.

Nebraska also operates a trade office in Tokyo, Japan.