Alabama Puts the Out in Outsourcing

As part of a growing trend among lawmakers seeking solutions to the unemployment crisis, the government of Alabama is welcoming Chinese outsourcing projects to employ American workers.

It's a stunning reversal for Americans who, only a short generation ago, found themselves losing jobs to Chinese workers in the outsourcing boom of the 90s. Now, to those with the capital to invest, it seems that recession-ravaged Alabama is as good a place to source as any.

And politicians are only too eager to roll out the red carpet, with special tax credits being offered to offset anti-dumping duties for manufacturing processes that can be damaging to the environment.

"It gives Alabama a leg-up against other states in attracting big business," said Linda Swann, Alabama assistant secretary of commerce. 

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Investor Raymond Cheng, CEO of the Hong Kong-based consulting firm the SoZo Group - which has investments in Alabama factory operations - believes it to be simply the next step in commercial relations between the two superpowers. 

"It is a natural evolution that as Chinese companies grow into global brands, they will come to the U.S., the largest consumer market in the world," he said. 

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