Gov. HolcombGov. Eric J. Holcomb will lead economic development trips to Asia in the coming months to support the state of Indiana’s increasingly global economy, strengthening partnerships and creating connections across business, culture, education, government and even sports.
“Markets are more connected now than ever before, and we’re proud to support a growing global dynamic economy in Indiana,” said Holcomb. “That growth is evident in our business sector, with 1,000 foreign-owned companies throughout Indiana employing 21st century talent in communities all across our state. We’re committed to continuing to cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships that will create even more opportunities for Hoosiers and a shared prosperous future.”
Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger will lead business delegations to Japan, the Republic of Korea, China and India. Highlights include meeting with representatives of Indiana’s largest foreign direct investor in Japan, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Indiana-Tochigi Prefecture sister state, traveling to Indiana’s sister state in Zhejiang Province, and joining the Indiana Pacers in Mumbai for the National Basketball Association’s first ever game in India.
Indiana is home to 1,004 foreign-owned business establishments that support more than 193,000 jobs across the state. Foreign direct investment committed to the state has increased by 300 percent from 2016 to 2018, with 47 foreign-owned businesses committing to invest $3.2 billion to locate or grow in Indiana last year. The state’s transpacific partnerships continue to grow, with Japan now supporting 319 business establishments in Indiana, the Republic of Korea supporting 10, China supporting 21 and India supporting seven.
Holcomb and Schellinger will lead a delegation to Japan and the Republic of Korea to bolster economic and cultural ties, meeting with government officials, industry chambers and business executives from Sept. 4 – 10.
Holcomb and the delegation will also travel to Utsunomiya, the capital of Tochigi Prefecture, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the sister-state relationship between Indiana and Tochigi.
In the Republic of Korea, Holcomb and Schellinger will meet with international businesses with operations in Indiana, such as POSCO, and meet with U.S. and Korean government officials to build on shared economic ties.
Holcomb will also lead an economic development mission to China, fostering a strong partnership that spans several decades, and to India, cultivating relationships that have developed growing momentum in recent years, from Sept. 22 to Oct. 5.
In China, the governor and secretary will travel to Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, Indiana’s sister state of more than 30 years, and meet with Chinese businesses and business chambers to underscore the importance of the Indiana-China relationship.
