Indiana – Next week, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb will travel to Europe.
Holcomb, First Lady Janet Holcomb, and Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers will go to Portugal and France to strengthen the state’s economic links with those two nations, according to an announcement from the governor’s office. The trip’s expenses will be covered by individual donations to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation.
As governor, Holcomb will visit another country for the fifteenth time.
“Indiana’s economic momentum continues to build, and I couldn’t be more energized to share that message with our friends, partners, and new business prospects in Europe,” said Gov. Holcomb. We envision numerous prospects for innovation and cooperation across high-tech areas like energy and motorsports that will provide new opportunities for Indiana and for Hoosiers. France and Portugal share similar aspirations for constructing global economies of the future.
The team is scheduled to land in Portugal on Sunday and meet with American and Portuguese government representatives, including Bernardo Ivo Cruz, Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Trade and Investment. The two leaders of Indiana will also communicate with Energias de Portugal personnel. The Lisbon-based utility company, which has three plants in Indiana, aims to switch to all green energy by 2030. A roundtable discussion on the state’s energy initiatives will be facilitated by them and the American Chamber of Commerce in Portugal.
The team will go to France on Wednesday to take part in a roundtable discussion about the state’s booming semiconductor, electric car, and life sciences businesses.
The governor will return to Pays de la Loire, where he originally traveled six years ago, as part of the tour. Holcomb will take part in the 24 Hours of LeMans opening ceremony. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the first 24-hour race in this illustrious car competition. State officials will meet with businesses in the racing industry since Indiana is also a center for that industry. The team will also meet with French officials, representatives of companies with operations in the state, and others who may be interested in investing there in the future.
The recent economic expansion of the state has been largely attributed to foreign investments. Businesses located abroad announced plans last year that are anticipated to bring in $7.25 billion and around 6,500 employees to the state. That is equivalent to one-third of the investments that the state received in 2022.
Data, according to Chambers, demonstrate that Indiana is a “global business destination.” In Indiana, there are 1,075 foreign-owned businesses, including 57 from France and 3 from Portugal.
“Partners here and around the world are essential to the continued growth of our economy and sectors that are looking to the future, and I look forward to strengthening these ties and establishing new partnerships in France and Portugal,” Chambers said.
