Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen leaves tomorrow on a week-long trade mission to South Korea and Japan. He will be accompanied by state ag director Sherry Vinton, leaders of ag-related businesses, and representatives from state government.
Pillen says South Korea and Japan are already “tremendous consumers” of Nebraska agriculture products with this week’s trip intended to strengthen already well-established partnerships while growing trade opportunities to benefit Nebraska.
The delegation has multiple stops scheduled in both countries with visits to hydrogen facilities, engineering corporations, and meetings with government and industry officials in both nations.
Pillen says the trip is partly the result of his first trade mission earlier this summer to Vietnam, which showed strong potential for growing trade opportunities there and elsewhere in Asia.
He says it’s vital to continue to strengthen established partnerships and understand how to better meet the demands and needs of Japan and South Korea with Nebraska products.
Not only is Japan one of Nebraska’s top export markets, it’s also the state’s largest direct foreign investor, having invested more than $4.4 billion dollars into the state since 2010. South Korea was Nebraska’s fourth largest foreign export partner last year.