Gov. Kate Brown will promote Oregon products and tourism during a weeklong business trip to Asia that includes stops in Tokyo, Beijing and Hanoi.
During the trip, which begins Tuesday and continues through Oct. 20, Brown plans to meet with Asian business leaders, several ambassadors and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng.
“Trade missions abroad can drive jobs and economic growth here at home,” Brown said. “From manufacturing, agriculture, and even to tourism, Asian markets are worth billions to Oregon’s communities. It’s important to maintain these relationships and build new ones."
She'll travel with about 50 leaders from the public and private sector. Representatives from Business Oregon, the state's economic agency; Travel Oregon, the state tourism agency; the Oregon Department of Agriculture; and the Port of Portland.
The trip comes after Brown met with China's President Xi Jinping last month. During that meeting, Brown and Xi signed a pact to develop renewable energy and clean technology.
Asia is the largest trade region for Oregon agricultural products, and Japan is Oregon's biggest foreign investor.
China is Oregon's biggest export market at $4 billion a year, and Oregon's largest tourism market.
Vietnam's growing economy means opportunities for Oregon food exports, and Brown is scheduled to appear on a Vietnamese cooking show to promote Oregon crops.
