Governor Corbett Traveling to Europe to Expand PA Exports and International Investments

Harrisburg – Governor Tom Corbett departs this weekend for a Pennsylvania
business development mission in Europe, with stops in the French cites of Lyon and
Paris, and the German cities of Stuttgart 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 for Pennsylvania-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 Frenchbased
firms employ more than 18,500 people in Pennsylvania, and 707 Germanbased
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, visit newpa.com or call 1-866-466-3972.
Media contact: Edward Jordan, DCED, 717-783-1132
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 Lebanon
counties.
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 in France.
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 Germanowned
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 a Marcellus Shale conference to
highlight the opportunities for German companies in Pennsylvania’s natural gas
industry. He will also meet with QVC’s German subsidiary.