Governor Parson to Embark on Third Trade Mission, Travel to Israel and Greece to Promote Missouri as Ideal Business Location

NOVEMBER 23, 2021

Jefferson City — From December 2 - 11, Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson will travel to Israel and Greece for a third international Trade Mission. Israel and Greece are key trade partners for Missouri, with nearly $54 million and more than $12 million in exports in 2020, respectively.

Consistent with Governor Parson’s infrastructure and economic development priorities, the goal of the Trade Mission is to build relationships with key international figures to promote Missouri’s strong capacity for trade.

“As Governor, I look forward to meeting with our partners in Israel and Greece to strengthen relationships and broaden our state’s global trade opportunities,” Governor Parson said. “Countries around the world already purchase billions of dollars in Missouri-made products each year. We're thrilled to again represent our state to international officials and companies while promoting Missouri as an ideal business location.”

The Trade Mission will include stops in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Israel, as well as Athens and Thessaloniki, Greece, to meet with government officials, diplomats, and business leaders to promote Missouri as an ideal destination for business investment and expansion. Governor Parson will meet with company representatives that have existing relationships in Missouri to thank them for their investment in the state and companies without a presence in Missouri to encourage them to consider Missouri for future investments.

The nearly $66 million in goods exported to Israel and Greece in 2020 shows the importance of international trade to the state’s economic success. Among the goods exported to Israel, cars and trucks were among those in highest demand. Chemicals and machinery ranked highly among exports to Greece.

Israel Highlights

Governor Parson will take part in an ag-tech roundtable discussion in Tel Aviv alongside GlobalSTL, a premier Missouri organization that aims to recruit high-growth international companies with the goal of establishing headquarters in St. Louis.  Key industries of focus include agriculture and plant science, medical and human health, cyber security, financial technology, and food and nutrition.

Meetings scheduled include SIBAT, the International Defense Cooperation Directorate of the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD), and the Deputy Chief of Mission Michael Ratney of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.

Governor Parson will also receive economic briefings from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Embassy Israeli Country team.

Greece Highlights

Meetings scheduled include Geoffrey R. Pyatt, U.S. Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic (Greece), agricultural startups in Greece, and the U.S. Consul General in Thessaloniki, Ms. Elizabeth (Liz) K. Lee.

Governor Parson will also be a keynote speaker at the Greek Economic Summit and take part in a business roundtable discussion hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce to engage with Greek CEOs in the northern region of Thessaloniki.

The Trade Mission is funded by the Hawthorn Foundation, a Missouri nonprofit organization. For updates on the trip, follow @GovMikeParson on Facebook and @GovParsonMO on Twitter.