Governor Perdue to lead economic development mission to Europe

ATLANTA–Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that he will lead an economic development mission to Europe from September 27 to October 3. Governor Perdue will meet with economic development prospects during the trip, as well as visiting some of the world’s top companies in transportation infrastructure and financing.

"Our nation's softening economy has intensified the competition among states for economic development prospects," said Governor Perdue. "We will continue our successful push for new jobs and investment from European companies eager to invest in the American market."

Governor Perdue will focus on economic development and transportation issues during the trade mission. The trip's itinerary covers stops in Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon and Milan, where the Georgia delegation will meet with companies and government officials.

"Europe has some of the world's most innovative ideas on financing transportation infrastructure," Governor Perdue said. "We will see some of these ideas first-hand in order to understand what approaches could be used here in Georgia."

Accompanying Governor Perdue on the trip is a delegation of government and elected officials, including Commissioner Ken Stewart of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Commissioner Gena Evans of the Georgia Department of Transportation and Executive Director Dick Anderson of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority. Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jeff Mullis and House Transportation Committee Chairman Vance Smith will also join the delegation for the transportation portions of the itinerary.

In Barcelona, Governor Perdue and the delegation will call on company officials and meet with President José Montilla of the Catalonia region. The Governor will give a keynote address at an "Invest in Georgia" seminar hosted by the U.S. - Spain Chamber of Commerce to an audience of Spanish companies interested in bringing business to Georgia.

At the same time, the American Chamber of Commerce in Madrid will host a Business Roundtable on Energy and Technology, where Commissioner Stewart will speak on a panel titled "The Evolving Energy Model in the United States."

The Madrid portion of the trip includes a number of transportation-related meetings, including a visit with executives from Cintra, a Spanish company that is a world leader in developing transportation infrastructure. The delegation will also tour two Spanish public/private road projects and meet with SEOPAN, the Spanish Transportation Association. Governor Perdue will also call on a number of Spanish companies in the region.

From Madrid, Governor Perdue will make a stop in Lisbon, where he will call on Portuguese manufacturer EFACEC Group, which is building a manufacturing facility in Effingham County, and Brisa, one of Portugal's top highway management companies. After leaving Lisbon, the Governor will meet with Pirelli officials in Milan. Pirelli operates a tire manufacturing facility in Rome, Ga.

This mission marks the 16th overall international trip and third to Europe of Governor Perdue's sixty-eight months in office. Previous visits include: Germany and the United Kingdom (June 2003); Japan and Korea (October 2003); El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras (May 2004); Brazil, Chile, and Argentina (June 2004); Mexico (September 2004); Canada (July 2005); Japan (October 2005); Israel (November 2005); Korea (March 2006); Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Belgium (June 2007); Japan and Korea (October 2007); Canada (November 2007); China (March-April 2008); and China (August 2008). The Governor also visited with United States military personnel during a Thanksgiving 2005 trip to Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

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