LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman says his weeklong trip to China helped increase the state’s visibility to Chinese officials, who are more familiar with U.S. coastal states.

Heineman said Monday that the visit helped strengthen Nebraska’s relationship with China and laid the groundwork for future business growth. But he said it’s only part of a longer-term relationship that needs to develop.

The trip included several agreements between Nebraska and the Chinese government, including a “sister state” relationship between Nebraska and the Shaanxi Province, and a new trade office in Shanghai.

Heineman says he emphasized the quality of Nebraska businesses during his talks with Chinese officials, and he made sure they knew that world-famous investor Warren Buffett hails from Omaha.