Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, along with First Lady Maureen McDonnell, cabinet officials and others, is heading on an overseas sojourn to China, Japan and South Korea as the governor hopes to lure foreign investment back to the commonwealth.
“As the CEO of the commonwealth I’m going to meet face to face with business leaders and CEO’s all across the world and I’m going to tell them why they should invest in Virginia,” said McDonnell.
The trip (which not everyone is happy about) will cost $278,000.
It’s the second overseas trade mission for the governor, who ventured to the Netherlands, Britain and Germany last July. The governor’s office says that trip helped close a $28.3 million business deal with a German film company that will create 174 new jobs in Winchester.
Here’s a full itinerary, per the governor’s office:
May 7 – 11 (Tokyo, Japan)
- Meet with senior leadership from several companies with significant Virginia operations, as well as prospective Virginia business partners
- Meet with senior leadership of companies that are purchasing, or interested in purchasing, Virginia agricultural products, including soybeans, pork, leaf tobacco and wine
- Host a reception and dinner event for business executives, promoting economic development, international trade, Virginia wine and other agricultural goods, and Virginia’s port facilities
- Promote Virginia tourism and wines
May 11 – 15 (Shanghai and Beijing, China)
- Meet with government officials, senior leadership from companies with existing operations in Virginia and with prospective companies
- Participate in an investment seminar, promoting Virginia’s business location advantages to approximately 100 business executives
- Meet with senior leadership of companies that are purchasing, or interested in purchasing, Virginia agricultural and forestry products, including soybeans and soy products, grains, pork, wood products, animal feed, leaf tobacco and wine
- Will also discuss with government officials the current Chinese ban on poultry and hardwood and softwood logs from Virginia
- Unveil a new tourism website translated in Chinese to the Chinese media
- Introduce travel writers and wine journalists to Virginia wine and Virginia wine touring
- Conduct media interviews, promoting Virginia to local, regional and international media
- Address students at Fudan University, School of Management, regarding economic development opportunities in Virginia
May 15 – 16 (Seoul, South Korea)
- Meet with government officials, senior leadership of prospective companies
- Meet with senior corporate leadership of companies that are purchasing, or interested in purchasing, Virginia agricultural products, including pork, poultry, seafood, soybeans and soy products, leaf tobacco and wine
- Meet with Virginia servicemen and women stationed at U.S. Army Garrison YongSan
- Unveil a new tourism website translated in Korean to the South Korean media
- Introduce travel writers and wine journalists to Virginia wine and Virginia wine touring
