Oregon – Governor Tina Kotek and a group of Oregon officials have come back from a successful trade trip to South Korea and Japan. During the visit, they worked to strengthen international alliances and improve Oregon’s commerce, tourism, and investment ties across Asia. The mission brought together government officials, corporate executives, and leaders in economic development to talk about Oregon’s strengths in agriculture, innovation, and advanced manufacturing.
Kotek stressed that Japan and South Korea are important trading partners for Oregon, with exports to those countries totaling more than $2.5 billion last year.
“We leveraged this opportunity to strengthen our relationships for continued prosperity and pushed critical conversations forward – including making progress in efforts to ease market restrictions on agricultural products and regain a nonstop flight to Asia,” she said.
The delegation included First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson and executives from the Oregon Department of Agriculture, Travel Oregon, the Port of Portland, and Business Oregon. About a dozen small enterprises from Oregon went on the trip to look into new ways to invest and export. During the mission, participants had about 100 meetings, some of which were with business executives, government officials, and investors.
“Governor Kotek’s trade mission was a powerful opportunity to promote Oregon as a premier destination for global investment and help Oregon businesses access foreign markets,” said Business Oregon Director Sophorn Cheang. “The ability to have direct conversations with business leaders and engage in diplomacy with government leaders in Japan and Korea helped deepen trust, highlight Oregon’s strengths in innovation and manufacturing, and showcase the skilled workforce that powers our economy.”
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At the same time, Port of Portland Executive Director Curtis Robinhold underscored the mission’s impact on strengthening transportation and trade links. “
“These conversations also opened doors for future investments – from expanding shipping options for Oregon businesses to re-establishing nonstop flights between Asia and PDX,” Robinhold said.
While he was away, Kotek met with Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-Seok, who backed starting direct flights between Portland and Seoul. He also met with George Glass, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, to talk about trade relations. The Governor also talked to big corporations like Kanto Chemical, Asahi Glass Company, Meiji Yasuda, and Toyota Tsusho about investing in Oregon’s semiconductor and recycling industries, making them more sustainable, and training workers.
First Lady Kotek Wilson conducted a mental health roundtable in Japan that focused on preventing suicide and improving the mental health of young people. She also met with the Japan Office of the Portland Japanese Garden to strengthen cultural and tourism links.
Oregon’s purpose made it even more of a bridge between Asia and the Pacific Northwest. It helped the economy flourish, encouraged cultural interchange, and set the stage for new relationships that will influence the state’s future in the world.
