Governor Abbott To Lead Business Development Mission To Israel, Switzerland
Governor Greg Abbott will lead a business development mission to Israel and Switzerland from Monday, January 18th through Friday, January 22nd, 2016. Governor Abbott’s trip will focus on increasing foreign direct investment in Texas. During the trip, the Governor will tour businesses, hold meetings with public officials and business executives in both countries, and participate at the World Economic Forum in Davos. This will be Governor Abbott’s third international business development trip since taking office.
“The combination of Texas’ low-tax, low-regulation environment and our skilled workforce is attracting more foreign direct investment to make the Lone Star State a hub for global commerce,” said Governor Abbott. “Our proven model stands out among states and, indeed, among nations as a beacon for free enterprise and economic prosperity. I look forward to building ties with new international business partners and strengthening Texas’ economic relationships across the globe.”
Governor Abbott’s trip comes after IBM's 2015 Global Location Trends Facts & Figures report named Texas the #1 state in the United States for foreign and domestic investment, based on the number of jobs.
“TexasOne is proud to support Governor Abbott in his efforts to expand business relationships and create additional trade opportunities for the State of Texas in Israel and Switzerland,” said Tracye McDaniel, President and CEO of Texas Economic Development Corporation and TexasOne. “We look forward to further strengthening economic ties in these key markets and to identifying opportunities to grow Texas’ target industries—life sciences, financial services, manufacturing and energy.”
“Israel appreciates the close relationship that Governor Greg Abbott has nurtured, both economically and politically. We look forward to many more collaborations, especially in the areas of water, energy and technology,” said Consul General Eitan Levon, Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest United States.
The trip will be sponsored and paid for by TexasOne, the state’s Economic Development Corporation.