RALEIGH - North Carolina could finally be adding a trade office in China. Gov. Mike Easley's proposed budget calls for spending $375,000 to put an office in Shanghai for the International Trade Division of Business and Industry in the state Department of Commerce.

"The North Carolina office will recruit Chinese investment in the state and will assist North Carolina companies that wish to increase trade with China," according to the budget.

The state opened a trade office in Hong Kong two decades ago and has been considering adding an office in Shanghai for at least two years.