Salem, Ore. (KTVZ) – Governor. Kate Brown on Wednesday announced details of Oregon’s upcoming trade missions to South Korea and Japan, focusing on promoting foreign investment and business expansion in Oregon as both countries fully reopen for tourism, trade and business travel.
The governor will lead the mission starting in October. From 14-16, Oregon leaders representing agriculture, tourism, higher education, apparel, technology and manufacturing will be in attendance. She will also visit Oregon’s sister state in Japan, Toyama Prefecture.
Here’s the rest of the governor’s office announcement:
“While many states are looking to expand trade opportunities as Asia begins to fully reopen, we know Oregon’s business, product and tourism opportunities are second to none. Oregon has strong relationships with South Korea and Japan that build Building on decades of trade and shared values of economic growth, environmental stewardship and the desire for a better tomorrow,” Brown said. “If we celebrate these partnerships and their success in growing Oregon exports and expanding our state’s business development, we are sowing the seeds of the future for the next chapter of our economic growth.”
Asian trade and tourism are key drivers of Oregon’s economic and job growth. South Korea is an important and expanding export market for Oregon, and Japan is one of Oregon’s largest foreign investors. South Korea and Japan are Oregon’s fourth and sixth largest export markets, respectively, and the state’s two main markets for agricultural exports. Together, they account for 11 percent of Oregon’s $29.9 billion global export market.
Oregon has the seventh-highest export growth in the U.S. over the past five years, up 37 percent. During the pandemic, Oregon was one of only six states in the country to experience positive export growth between 2019 and 2020. Nearly 6,000 Oregon companies export internationally, and exports support 83,000 Oregon jobs. Tourism in Oregon is a $10.9 billion industry that directly employs 100,000 Oregonians and generates $1.2 billion in state and local taxes.
As part of the delegation, the governor will bring companies representing agriculture, food and beverage, apparel and technology. The companies will jointly explore export opportunities with Korean and Japanese distributors and retailers.
The companies are part of Governor Brown’s delegation of public and private sector leaders, which includes representatives from the Oregon Department of Commerce, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon Tourism, University of Oregon and the Port of Portland.
As part of the trade mission, the Governor will host several business development meetings, host a women’s leadership forum, sit down with government leaders, promote Oregon’s tourism industry, and work to strengthen trade. She will also meet with South Korean and Japanese government officials and U.S. embassy officials at each destination.