FRANKFORT, KY — Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear plans to take an economic development trip to Japan and the Republic of Korea next week to discuss bringing new jobs to the state with existing and prospective companies.
According to Gov. Beshear, the visit results from his record-breaking first term.
The governor said 88 projects have been announced by companies based in Asia, representing nearly $13 billion in investment and 13,000 new jobs.
“There is no better place to do business in the United States than right here in Kentucky, and this visit will allow us to share that message directly with business leaders in Japan and Korea,” Gov. Beshear said. “We look forward to meeting with existing employers and developing new relationships that will bring good jobs to the commonwealth.”
Gov. Beshear added that Kentucky has nearly 540 internationally owned operations that employ more than 117,000 people statewide and is home to 200 Japanese-owned facilities that employ 47,000 people and seven Korean-owned facilities that employ 1,200 people.
First Lady Britainy Beshear, Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel, Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray, and other members of the executive branch will join the governor.
The group will meet with the Keidanren Committee on U.S. Affairs, several existing Kentucky employers, and potential prospects.
Gov. Beshear and Secretary Gray are also meeting with the National Police Agency of the Republic of Korea to sign a Driver’s License Reciprocity Agreement.
According to Gov. Beshear, this agreement will allow employees relocating to the United States for an extended period to have effective transportation to jobs and to ease their transition to the United States.
