Gov. Herbert Joins Taiwan and South Korea Trade Mission to Boost International Trade and Investment

News

Sep 21

SALT LAKE CITY – Governor Gary R. Herbert will join 20 Utah companies and six organizations on a trade mission to Taiwan to boost trade and attract foreign investment to Utah.

Gov. Herbert cancelled his participation in the trade mission’s visit to South Korea in order to turn his full attention to wildfires burning in Utah County.

Taiwan and South Korea are Utah’s 6th and 11th largest export destinations, respectively, and offer opportunities for companies interested in expanding their business in Asia. The governor will attend foreign direct investment meetings and visit with government officials.

“Gov. Herbert’s leadership on trade missions opens doors for Utah companies that in turn create jobs for Utahns across the state,” said Miles Hansen, president and CEO of World Trade Center Utah (WTC Utah).

While in Taiwan and South Korea, delegates will forge invaluable connections and gain industry insights they wouldn’t have access to otherwise. Throughout this trade mission, the Utah delegation will promote Utah as an attractive destination for foreign investment.

The trade mission, spanning Sept. 17-21, 2018, gives delegates unparalleled, exclusive access to companies, government agencies and officials in these important trade markets. Activities include business visits, matchmaking meetings, networking receptions and investment roundtables. Additionally, participants will visit the sites of several Utah companies that are already finding success in these markets.

“Taiwan and South Korea are among the state’s largest export destinations. In 2017 Utah exported $636 million in goods to Taiwan and $347 million to South Korea,” said Val Hale, executive director of the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development. “Maintaining good relationships between these countries provides expanded opportunities for Utah businesses with products such as computers, electronics, chemicals and food.”

With the support of World Trade Center Utah, the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, Zions Bank, the U.S. Commercial Service, Atlantic Council and the U.S. Small Business Administration, the trade mission is comprised of private and public organizations from various industries.

Businesses participating in the trade mission to Taiwan and South Korea are: