KY governor to travel to Japan, Korea for economic development trip

(KBSI) – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear will take an economic development trip to bring new jobs to the state by traveling late next week to Japan and the Republic of Korea.

He plane to meet with leaders at existing Kentucky companies as well as businesses considering future investment in the United States.

“There is no better place to do business in the United States than right here in Kentucky, and this visit will allow us to share that message directly with business leaders in Japan and Korea,” Gov. Beshear said. “We look forward to meeting with existing employers and developing new relationships that will bring good jobs to the commonwealth.”

Since the start of Gov. Beshear’s administration, 88 projects have been announced by companies based in Asia, representing nearly $13 billion investment and 13,000 new jobs.

Kentucky has nearly 540 internationally owned operations that employ more than 117,000 people statewide. The commonwealth is home to 200 Japanese-owned facilities that employ 47,000 people and seven Korean-owned facilities that employ 1,200 people.

First Lady Britainy Beshear, Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel, Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray and other members of the executive branch will join the governor on the trip as they meet with companies and trade organizations to determine future investment and job-creation opportunities in the state.

The Kentucky delegation will meet with the Keidanren Committee on U.S. Affairs along with several existing Kentucky employers and potential prospects.

Gov. Beshear and Secretary Gray will also meet with the National Police Agency of the Republic of Korea to sign a Driver’s License Reciprocity Agreement. This agreement allows employees relocating to the United States for an extended period to have effective transportation to jobs and to ease their transition to the United States.

Team Kentucky’s economic development mission to Asia builds on the best four-year period for economic growth in state history.

Visit CED.ky.gov for more information on Kentucky’s economic development efforts and programs.