ASIA (OBV) – Gov. Kevin Stitt was far from home last week, checking out what Asian energy and aerospace industries have to offer and promoting Oklahoma to companies looking to expand.
Stitt traveled to Taiwan, South Korea and Japan for a trade mission focused on energy and aerospace. Stitt landed in Taiwan on Sunday, Dec. 8, and had meetings from Dec. 9-13.
Abegail Cave, Stitt’s communications director, told Oklahoma Business Voice that Stitt met with heads of energy companies in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan, and had “promising conversations” about those companies potentially investing in Oklahoma.
“Hopefully we’ll see some movement in the next months to a year,” she said.
The governor had a meeting with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te to discuss Oklahoma potentially collaborating with Taiwan in energy, critical minerals and aerospace, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and drones. Stitt signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Minister of Economic Affairs Jyh-Huei Kuo between Oklahoma and Taiwan.
He also visited with multiple Taiwanese companies interested in investing in Oklahoma and growing the state’s workforce.
Stitt touted Oklahoma’s energy advantage and business-friendly environment while pitching Oklahoma to the Taiwanese companies.
“This Memorandum of Understanding between Oklahoma and Taiwan will enhance trade and investment opportunities between Oklahoma and Taiwan drone and UAS companies. Oklahoma is the most business friendly state in the nation and our energy industry provides critical stability and economic opportunity around the world,” Stitt said. “The Taiwanese people share Oklahoma’s love of freedom. I look forward to working together to increase trade and investments opportunities in aerospace and energy to advance prosperity for the people of Taiwan and Oklahoma.”
South Korea was the next stop on Stitt’s tour.
In Korea, Stitt met with officials representing the Korean republic, heads of critical mineral companies and Phillip Goldberg, the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea.
Securing the critical mineral supply chain is essential for Oklahoma, according to Stitt.
“I’ve visited with ambassadors from nearly 70 countries, and they all express the same concern. They need affordable, reliable energy. Oklahoma is perfectly positioned to provide them with that,” Stitt said. “As the need for critical minerals grows, it’s more important than ever that we secure that supply chain. Oklahoma is quickly becoming the critical minerals headquarters in the United States and I’m proud we have the business and regulatory environment to make that possible. I’m excited to keep nurturing the relationships built in South Korea and I welcome these business leaders to come visit Oklahoma soon.”
Stitt spoke with the heads of those critical mineral companies about potentially expanding into Oklahoma.
The governor also visited the War Memorial of Korea, where he laid a wreath in honor of the 601 Oklahomans who died while fighting in the Korean War.
Stitt’s final stop was in Japan, where he also met with critical mineral and manufacturing industry business leaders and Rahm Emmanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan.
He had discussions with representatives from numerous Japanese manufacturing and technology companies, and visited with Keidanren, a collective of top Japanese companies. Both the manufacturing and tech companies as well as many of the Keidanren companies expressed interest in investing in Oklahoma.
“Oklahoma is the most business friendly state in the nation, and companies from all over the world are taking notice,” Stitt said. “Our unbeatable energy advantage, central location and pro-business policies make Oklahoma the perfect place for manufacturing and technology businesses to set up shop. We had many fruitful conversations while in Japan, and I’m looking forward to hosting new businesses in Oklahoma soon.”
Stitt arrived back in Oklahoma on Dec. 14.
