HARRISBURG – Gov. Tom Corbett departs this weekend for aPennsylvania business development mission in Europe, with stops in the French cites of Lyon and Paris, and the German cities ofStuttgart and Dusseldorf.
This four-city, two-country mission, privately funded by Team PA, is scheduled for March 18-23, 2012. It is designed to increase Pennsylvania exports to France and Germany, as well as encourage direct foreign investment into the state.
In addition, Corbett hopes to promote and attract tourism to Pennsylvania.
“Exports to France and Germany have increased tremendously over the past two years and maintaining a strong relationship will help facilitate the rapidly growing number of exports to these two countries,” Corbett said. “Trade missions like this are vital forPennsylvania-based companies, providing the opportunity for them to expand their market for goods and services.”
France and Germany were chosen because together they represent the state’s fourth-largest export market and top source of foreign direct investment in Pennsylvania.
In 2010, Pennsylvania companies exported more than $767 million of goods and services to France and more than $1.4 billion to Germany. Currently, 438 French-based firms employ more than 18,500 people in Pennsylvania, and 707 German-based firms employ more than 34,900 workers in the state.
Representatives of the Pennsylvania-based companies ChemLogix, Moran Industries, PARIS Technologies, Philadelphia Mixing Solutions, Rajant Corporation, TrackAbout Inc., and UMF Medical will be attending the trade mission with Corbett.
Three Pennsylvania universities – University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon and Drexel universities – will also be attending the mission with hopes of establishing new connections for partnerships and student recruitment.
In addition, representatives from regional economic development groups and chambers of commerce will be participating in the mission, including the PA Chamber of Business and Industry, Select Greater Philadelphia, the Allegheny Conference on Regional Development, the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation and Visit Pittsburgh.
Secretary C. Alan Walker, of the Department of Community and Economic Development, and other dignitaries will be accompanying Corbett and his wife, Susan, on the trade mission as well.
For more information about the Office of International Business Development or other economic development services, visitnewpa.com or call 1-866-466-3972.
Editor’s Note: Corbett’s itinerary for the Business Development Mission includes:
Sunday, March 18
Corbett will arrive in Lyon, France to attend a welcome meeting with the President of the Lyon Chamber of Commerce, followed by a delegation dinner with officials from the Rhône-Alpes Region.
Monday, March 19
In Lyon, France, the Governor will attend a meeting hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce in France and meet with several Pennsylvania-based companies that have subsidiaries in France, including UGI, NextDocs, ANSYS, Houghton and Mine Safety Appliances.
Corbett will meet with the president of the Rhône-Alpes region to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two states in support of economic growth and development for each.
The Governor will make opening remarks at the Invest in PA seminar where he will speak to more than 100 French companies.
Corbett will meet with four French companies that already have a presence in Pennsylvania, (including Boiron and Groupe SEB/All-Clad), or are in the process of setting up businesses in the state to discuss future plans.
Tuesday, March 20
Corbett will speak at a plastics’ roundtable discussion in the heart of the French plastics manufacturing valley. Two of the roundtable attendees (Grosfillex and Millet Plastics) already have plastics manufacturing plants located in Berks and Lebanoncounties.
The Governor will meet with Sanofi Pasteur, one of the largest French companies located in the state, with a major vaccine manufacturing plant in Swiftwater, Monroe County.
In Paris, Corbett will speak at a Pennsylvania Alumni reception for alumni of Pennsylvania colleges and universities who live inFrance.
Wednesday, March 21
Corbett will be the keynote speaker at the French-American Foundation’s Innovation and Energy Breakfast to discuss investment opportunities for French energy companies.
The Governor will attend a defense and aerospace roundtable discussion pertaining to French aerospace companies.
Corbett will meet with U.S. Ambassador Rivkin to discuss trade and investment relations between France and Pennsylvania.
Governor will depart France for Stuttgart, Germany for a meeting with the German software company SAP.
Thursday, March 22
The American Chamber of Commerce in Germany will host a meeting with Corbett in Stuttgart for Pennsylvania subsidiary companies located in Germany, including Armstrong World Industries, Glatfelter, and Polysciences.
Corbett will present remarks at an Invest in PA seminar. He and several German-owned Pennsylvania companies (including B. Braun Medical, SYCOR and SAP) will discuss the business opportunities that the state has to offer German companies. Following the seminar and meeting with participants, the Governor will tour the Porsche car company, which also has a parts distribution and training facility located in Easton, Northampton County.
Later, Corbett will meet with Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann of the state of Baden-Wurttemberg in Germany.
Corbett and the delegation will depart for Dusseldorf, Germany.
Friday, March 23
Corbett will meet with German and Dutch companies that are considering locating their U.S. operations in Pennsylvania, and speak at an Invest in PA seminar, with representatives of German-based companies that are located in the state (including B. Braun Medical, SYCOR and Uhde/ThyssenKrupp).
Bayer Corporation will host a meeting and a lunch with executives from other German companies. Afterward, Corbett will attend aMarcellus Shale conference to highlight the opportunities for German companies in Pennsylvania’s natural gas industry. He will also meet with QVC’s German subsidiary.