Trade mission to United Arab Emirates highlights expanding market for Missouri exports and Show-Me State’s expertise meeting challenges of global economy
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Gov. Jay Nixon and a Missouri delegation of business and economic development leaders are concluding a trade mission today to the United Arab Emirates, as Missouri exports around the globe stand at an all-time high and as foreign investment continues to create and support thousands of Missouri jobs. The diversity of Missouri’s exports was clear in the UAE, where the Governor and delegation were updated about the strong market for Boeing, which has exported aircraft here for decades, and Ford, whose Missouri-made F-150 pickup and the Transit cargo van are very recent arrivals to the market.
“Missouri’s advanced manufacturing job growth leadership is one of the key reasons Missouri’s export numbers are on track to set another record high in 2016,” Gov. Nixon said. “The Missouri-made Ford F-150 is the best-selling pickup truck in the world, built by some of the finest workers anywhere, and now it’s becoming available around the globe. Boeing has a rich history and a bright future in both the defense and commercial aviation sectors here in the UAE region, where market conditions are strong.”
In Dubai, Gov. Nixon met with Jacques Brent, President Ford Motor Company, Middle East & Africa: and Saeed Humaid Al Tayer, Managing Director, Al Tayer Motors.
“The Ford F-150 has done extremely well in the UAE and across the Middle East,” said Brent. “This ‘Built Ford Tough’ truck has proven itself as one of its segment leaders and has been nominated for many awards. We started bringing in the Transit from Kansas City earlier this year and are seeing increased demand. We appreciate the continued support of UAE customers for these quality-built Missouri vehicles.”
Gov. Nixon has made increasing exports and promoting Missouri as an ideal location for investment by foreign companies a top economic development priority of his administration
Trade figures released this month show that through September, Missouri’s 2016 exports reached almost $10.6 billion, an increase of more than 6 percent for the same period in 2014, when Missouri’s annual exports achieved an all-time record of just under $14.2 billion. Since the Governor took office in 2009, Missouri exports have already achieved their four highest totals on record (2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015). The 2014 record high was a 49 percent increase from the $9.5 billion in exports the year Gov. Nixon took office.
Since 2009, companies from around the world have announced plans to embark on 81 new projects or expansions of operations in Missouri, resulting in a total of almost $2.1 billion in announced foreign investments and the projected creation of more than 5,400 new Missouri jobs.
During the trade mission, the Governor also met with other leading representatives of UAE companies, including the Mubadala Group and the Al Ghurair Group.
The Governor also met with high-ranking government officials, including His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah; and His Excellency Abdullah Al Saleh, Vice Minister of the Economy for International Trade and Investment.
In addition to trade discussions with government officials and businesses, Gov. Nixon addressed the American Business Council of Dubai and met with U.S Ambassador to the UAE Barbara A. Leaf and officials at the U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Ambassador Leaf also hosted a reception honoring Gov. Nixon, First Lady Georganne Nixon and the Missouri delegation.
In August, Missouri was awarded a competitive grant of $634,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration to increase the number of Missouri small businesses that export their products, especially to emerging markets. The funding from the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) focuses on helping incentivize Missouri businesses to focus their exporting targets in the Middle East.
The UAE was Missouri’s 22nd largest trading partner in 2015, receiving more than $76 million in Missouri goods and commodities. The largest categories of Missouri products exported to the UAE were fabricated metal products, transportation equipment, electrical equipment and appliances, machinery, computer and electronic products.
Joining Gov. Nixon on the trip were Mike Downing, director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development; and Doug Nelson, Commissioner of Administration. The Missouri delegation also included Al Purcell, chairman of the Hawthorn Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting economic growth in Missouri; Marie Carmichael, chairwoman of the Missouri Development & Finance Board; David Adkins, President and CEO of the Council of State Governments; and representatives of St. Louis University. Several Missouri businesses were also represented, including Burns and McDonnell, of Kansas City; Holtec Gas Systems, of Chesterfield; Kit Bond Strategies, of Clayton; Premier Proteins, of Kearney; and Bio-Microbics Inc./Scienco/FAST, of Sunset Hills.
Travel costs for the Governor and Mrs. Nixon were covered by the Hawthorn Foundation; state taxpayer funds are not being used.
