(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – From November 10 - 20, Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson will travel to Israel, the United Arab Emirates (the UAE), and Greece for their fourth international Trade Mission. Israel, the UAE, and Greece are existing trade partners for Missouri, with $126 million, $77 million, and $12 million in exports in 2021, respectively.

Consistent with Governor Parson’s economic development and infrastructure priorities, the goal of the Trade Mission is to build relationships with key international figures to promote Missouri’s strong capacity for trade and expand existing partnerships.

“We look forward to again highlighting Missouri’s strengths to international businesses seeking to invest and grow in Missouri,” Governor Parson said. “Previous Trade Missions have been successful in strengthening global relationships that are important to our economy. Missouri is a prime business location, and we’re excited to demonstrate that to leading companies in Israel, the UAE, and Greece.”

The Trade Mission will include stops in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, Israel, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and Athens, Greece, to meet with government officials, diplomats, and business leaders to promote Missouri as a prime destination for business investment and expansion. Governor Parson will meet with company representatives that have existing relationships in Missouri to thank them for their investment in the state and companies without a presence in Missouri to encourage them to consider Missouri for future investments.

The more than $215 million in goods exported to Israel, the UAE, and Greece in 2021 show the importance of international trade to the state’s economic success. Among the goods exported to Israel, fabricated metal and aerospace products were among those in highest demand. Communications equipment ranked highly among exports to the UAE, while scrap and paper products were the top exports to Greece.

Israel Highlights

In coordination with BioSTL, Governor Parson will take part in an ag-tech roundtable discussion with innovative Israeli companies in addition to business meetings in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Meetings scheduled include U.S. Ambassador Thomas Nides, Israel’s Minister of Agriculture, and SIBAT, the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Governor Parson will also meet with companies that have an existing presence in Missouri, including Israel Chemicals Ltd., a leading global specialty minerals company serving the food, agriculture, and industrial markets.

Governor Parson and First Lady Parson will also visit Yad Vashem, Israel's official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust, and have an opportunity to lay a wreath in remembrance. 

The UAE Highlights

While in the UAE, Governor Parson will participate in meetings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and receive economic and commercial briefings from the U.S. Embassy team.

Meetings scheduled include the Minister of Artificial Intelligence and a company considering investment in Missouri. Governor Parson will also meet with Emirates Global Aluminum, a company with an existing presence in Missouri.

Greece Highlights

Governor Parson will take part in an ag-tech roundtable discussion with Orange Grove, an initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Athens, to inform innovative Greek companies of Missouri’s agricultural strengths. He will also participate in a roundtable discussion with business leaders from the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) to discuses investment opportunities in Missouri. 

Meetings scheduled include Ambassador George James Tsunis and other business and governmental leaders.

The Trade Mission is funded by the Hawthorn Foundation, a Missouri nonprofit organization.

For updates on the trip, follow @GovMikeParson on Facebook and @GovParsonMO on Twitter.