Governor Bullock Announces Trade Mission to Taiwan, South Korea

Governor Bullock Announces Trade Mission to Taiwan, South Korea

Montana Governor Steve Bullock today announced that he will lead a seven-day trade mission to Taiwan and South Korea in the fall of 2015. Governor Bullock made the announcement during his remarks at the Why Asia Matters to Montana public forum that took place in Bozeman as part of the 2015 Asia + Montana Bozeman Retreat coordinated by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Center, the City of Bozeman, and Montana State University.

“With an increasingly connected global economy, I am committed to enhancing the competitiveness of Montana businesses in the international marketplace,” said Bullock. “I look forward to strengthening our trade relations with these two countries and promoting the quality and authenticity of Montana’s businesses, products, and people.”

The mission will bring together leaders in business, education, and government to focus on creating export opportunities for Montana businesses as well as strengthening the diplomatic and trade relationships between the economies of Montana, South Korea, and Taiwan. The mission will take place October 24 – 30 and include Montana business owners who have identified export opportunities in the Asia Pacific region.

Organized by the Governor’s Office and the Montana Department of Commerce, the trade mission will include high-level meetings with officials in the Taiwanese and South Korean governments, business and investment meetings for the business delegation, and joint seminars to promote Montana in both countries.

“We are putting together a fast-paced, business-focused trip that will open doors for Montana businesses and strengthen diplomatic and trade relations between Montana and Taiwan and South Korea,” said Montana Department of Commerce Director Meg O’Leary.

With more than 95 percent of the world’s population and 80 percent of the world’s purchasing power outside the United States, future economic growth and jobs in Montana increasingly depend on expanding international trade and investment opportunities. Last fall, Governor Bullock led a similar mission to the People’s Republic of China. Since then, Montana has hosted numerous inbound trade delegations from China and connected qualified Chinese companies with Montana businesses looking to grow and expand in the market. This past week, an international energy conference took place in Billings as a result of a meeting Bullock had with Chinese energy officials during the mission.

Participating businesses will have the opportunity to take advantage of trade facilitation services provided by the U.S. Commercial Service, which are designed to connect businesses with top-level corporate and government leaders in one-on-one business meetings. Participants will be responsible for individual trip expenses.

–Press Release, August 28. Stay tuned to learn more about how this trip will involve ranchers and beef trade.