October 13, 2022 3:00 a.m.  

On Wednesday, Governor Kate Brown announced details about Oregon’s trade mission to Asia, focused on promoting foreign investment and business expansion in the state.

Officials will go to South Korea and Japan as the two countries reopen fully to tourism, trade, and business travel. Brown will lead the mission starting on Friday and continuing through October 26th. She will be joined by Oregon leader’s representing the agriculture, tourism, higher education, apparel, technology and manufacturing industries. Brown will also travel to Oregon’s sister state in Japan, the Toyama Prefecture.

The release said over the past five years, Oregon ranks seventh in the U.S. for the largest export growth, increasing significantly at 37 percent. During the pandemic, Oregon was one of only six states to see positive export growth between 2019 and 2020. Nearly 6,000 Oregon companies export internationally. 83,000 jobs in the state are supported by exports. Travel and tourism in Oregon is a $10.9 billion industry that directly employs 100,000 Oregonians and generates $1.2 billion in state and local tax revenue.

Along with private sector leaders, the delegation will include representatives from Business Oregon, The Oregon Department of Agriculture, Travel Oregon, University of Oregon, and the Port of Portland.

Photos and updates from the trade mission will be shared through Governor Brown’s social media channels and press releases.