Gov. Beebe heads to Europe on trade tour

Gov. Mike Beebe will conduct a trade trip to several European countries with the goal of visiting companies who conduct business in Arkansas, according to a report from TalkBusiness.net

Based on the TalkBusiness.net report, in early October, Beebe, Maria Haley, director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and other state economic development officials will visit Europe to cement relationships with existing industries, but more importantly, to recruit supplier companies to Arkansas that service firms like Dassault Falcon Jet and Nordex.



“In concrete terms, foreign investment in Arkansas means Arkansas jobs. This is why, on October 2nd, I will travel to Europe, spending a week visiting businesses and dignitaries in London, Paris and Hamburg,” Beebe said during his weekly radio address.

Continuing, Beebe noted: “Two-thirds of foreign-owned companies in Arkansas have European roots. While in Europe, I will meet with executives of companies with existing investments in Arkansas, as well as with companies we’re trying to attract to the State. I will encourage potential investors, who are deciding the best place to locate in the United States, to bring their business to Arkansas.”

Companies operating in the Fort Smith/Van Buren area with headquarters in Europe include Bekaert, Pernod-Ricard (formerly Hiram Walker), Saint-Gobain Proppants (formerly Norton Proppants), and Gerber.



Link here for the full report from TalkBusiness.net.