Nebraska Welcomes Reverse Trade Mission Participants
(Lincoln, Neb.) Tonight, Gov. Dave Heineman will welcome 130 guests from 10 nations that have traveled to Nebraska to take part in the state's first reverse trade mission.
"This event provides an opportunity to encourage our international trade partners to explore Nebraska's endless possibilities up close and in person," Gov. Heineman said. "International trade and investment are crucial to our state economy. This event gives our international customers a chance to see firsthand what Nebraska has to offer."
Visitors from five continents are participating in the event, including delegations from Brazil, Columbia, Nicaragua, Canada, Spain, South Africa, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and South Korea. The largest contingents are those from China, with 56 participants; Japan, which has a delegation of 42 representatives; and Brazil, which has 23 visitors.
The reverse trade mission will provide international businesses and government officials the chance to meet with potential customers and explore opportunities for partnership with Nebraska companies. It will also showcase emerging technologies available for license in Nebraska.
The event began today, Wednesday, Sept. 10 and runs through Saturday, Sept. 13. Tonight the Governor will host a reception and dinner in Omaha, and deliver welcoming remarks to participants at 8 p.m.
Gov. Heineman said, "Our plan is to showcase many of Nebraska's growing industries by highlighting areas where Nebraska is already strong, and areas with even greater potential for growth and development."
Tomorrow, business representatives will tour several of Nebraska's growing industries, including: renewable energy, agriculture and food processing, distribution and logistics-oriented companies, research and biotechnology, and information technology, as well as the finance and insurance industries.
Government officials from other countries participating in the reverse trade mission will to attend a workshop exploring job creation opportunities on Thursday in Omaha. The day concludes with a dinner in Lincoln for participants hosted by the University of Nebraska.
Friday opens with a breakfast hosted by the Governor and opportunities for meetings before a luncheon with the Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce. Several roundtable discussions are slated for Friday afternoon consisting of a CEO Roundtable, as well as discussions on agricultural products and technology, and joint partnerships in business.
The reverse trade mission is being sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), the Nebraska Diplomats and the University of Nebraska, with additional support from 22 businesses and organizations across the state.
The event coincides with the annual Nebraska Diplomats' Passport to Nebraska Weekend, which gives business prospects from around the nation and world the opportunity to see the benefits of doing business in Nebraska. Passport activities begin Friday evening in Lincoln, where new Nebraska Diplomats members will be recognized and several communities will be honored for their efforts to grow Nebraska's economy.
The Governor and First Lady Sally Ganem will host a tailgate reception for trade mission and Diplomats members and guests prior to Saturday's Husker football game.
"Since 2005, Lt. Governor Rick Sheehy and I have led a total of seven trade missions to other countries," Gov. Heineman said. "Those visits have helped us establish valuable relationships and introduce Nebraska businesses and education leaders to those of other nations. Those experiences have shown us that people want to know more about Nebraska. We invited business and government leaders from around the world to this event to show them what sets Nebraska apart."
Source: Nebraska Governor's Office
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