Hebei province and the US state of Iowa have been friends for 30 years, but 2013 could be a breakthrough year in their business relationship.

"We have a number of exchanges, including in education and culture," Iowa Governor Terry Branstad said on Thursday. "In the area of Chinese business, we're really just getting started."

About 75 companies from Hebei had a trade fair with 18 counterparts and associations from Iowa on Wednesday, an important part of Branstad's three-day visit to Hebei.