Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is visiting Taiwan next week on an international trade mission to Asia with a delegation from the United States.
Grimes is one of four secretaries of state selected to participate in a trip the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) is coordinating and funding. Grimes made a similar visit in 2013, making the trip her second in office.
"I am proud of the relationships we have built with companies operating in Taiwan and with government officials there. During my second visit to Taiwan, I will continue to spread the word about why doing business in Kentucky is prudent and encouraging investment in the Commonwealth," said Grimes, who is Kentucky's chief business official.
Grimes is committed to facilitating growth for Kentucky businesses abroad. Since her 2013 trip, Grimes has met numerous times with TECRO officials during their visits to the Commonwealth. Earlier this year, she worked with representatives to help make Kentucky the 21st U.S. state with a reciprocal driver's license agreement with Taiwan, further strengthening economic relations.
Grimes will meet with several of the Kentucky companies with offices in Taiwan, including Ashland, Inc., Sunspring America, Inc., and Taihu Brewing. She will also meet with representatives of the Asian Pacific Council of American Chambers. Other corporations with a Kentucky-Taiwan presence include Brown-Forman and Conntek Integrated Solutions in Louisville.
Taiwan is Kentucky’s 6th largest export market in Asia with more than $147 million exports in 2015. Also in 2015, Taiwan officials signed letters of intent to purchase corn and soybeans from Kentucky growers in 2016 and 2017.
Taiwan and Kentucky have been sister states since 1982 in a partnership formed by former Gov. John Y. Brown, Jr.
"Taiwan has been one of Kentucky's important partners on the international stage. I look forward to helping foster growth of our partnership and seeking more mutually beneficial trading relationships within Taiwan," Grimes said.
(story provided by Kentucky Secretary of State)
