Seal of the Governor
For Immediate Release: November 15, 2019
Contacts: Office of the Governor: Alenaa Yarmosky, Alena.Yarmosky@governor.virginia.gov | Virginia Economic Development Partnership: Suzanne Clark, sclark@vedp.org

Governor Northam Leads International Trade and Marketing Mission to Israel and United Arab Emirates

Trip to strengthen ties between Virginia and the two nations, promote investment, trade, and tourism opportunities in the Commonwealth

RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam will lead a six-day international trade and marketing mission to Israel and the United Arab Emirates from November 15–21, 2019. The Governor will be accompanied by Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring, as well as representatives from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Tourism Corporation, and the Virginia Israel Advisory Board.

“We live in a competitive global economy, and it is important that we share the Virginia story with businesses and trade partners around the world who are interested in buying our goods and services,” said Governor Northam. “International trade and marketing missions are critical tools to recruit new investment to the Commonwealth and maintain the relationships that will lead to new jobs, more exports by Virginia companies, and shared economic growth.”

Governor-led international trade and marketing missions aim to promote the Commonwealth’s desirable business location advantages, increased opportunities for Virginia agricultural products, and tourism assets. In Israel, the Governor will visit Tel Aviv and Jerusalem and in the United Arab Emirates, he will travel to Dubai.

Governor Northam and his delegation will travel to Tel Aviv tonight. Over the course of the mission, Governor Northam and his delegation will participate in nearly 30 meetings. Governor Northam will host a Virginia reception in Tel Aviv, speak at a Dubai Chamber of Commerce luncheon, and meet with U.S. Embassy officials in both Israel and Dubai. The Governor will also visit Yad Vashem to pay respects to the Jewish people who perished in the Holocaust.

Earlier this week at the 71st Virginia Conference on World Trade, Governor Northam announced the first-ever comprehensive International Trade Strategic Plan for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The plan lays out the Northam administration’s ambitious long-term strategy to increase exports and help Virginia’s businesses become more competitive in the global marketplace.

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