Expanding Nebraska's Global Reach

Expanding Nebraska's Global Reach

By Governor Dave Heineman

Dear Fellow Nebraskans:

I am pleased to be writing today with good news about the future of our state and its opportunities for economic impact on the world stage.

In recent days, the Lieutenant Governor, Rick Sheehy, along with our state's directors of the Departments of Agriculture and Economic Development, Greg Ibach and Richard Baier, hosted a reception for Japanese friends and business partners to celebrate the opening of Nebraska's first international trade office abroad. More than 200 leaders from Japanese business, industry and government attended the Nebraska reception in Tokyo.

Lt. Gov. Sheehy joined a delegation of 28 Nebraskans and a host of stateside sponsors in ushering in a new era of economic growth and global reach for Nebraska. The reception and grand opening of our first permanent physical presence in another nation concluded a five-day trade mission to Japan, Nebraska's top overseas trading partner.

The Nebraska Center will burnish our image in the world's second most prosperous nation, because much of Asian business culture centers on relationships forged over time. That is why I am planning to visit Japan next fall as part of a follow-up trade mission, and that is why I am so gratified at the positive response our state, local and private partners have cultivated by creating the Nebraska Center in Tokyo.

From preliminary reports, we are already receiving interest from a specialty oils firm seeking American expansion. Although altered by time and circumstance, we are cautiously optimistic about the future of our long-standing beef trade with Japan. Grocers and restaurateurs expressed a desire to resume imports, and Japanese customers are excited about the opportunity to once again savor Nebraska's top export.

Over the course of the week, the Nebraska economic development delegation visited with more than 20 Japanese companies. Agricultural delegates also visited with four Japanese grocers who stock U.S. and Nebraska beef, four restaurateurs interested in providing their customers with Nebraska beef, two Nebraska exporters with Japanese outposts, and two import firms that deal in Nebraska agricultural products.

State, regional and local economic development teams continue exploring ways to secure additional Japanese investment in Nebraska's economy. More than 30 Japanese firms employ thousands of Nebraskans, right here at home, and any decision on additional investment could mean more jobs and increased community investment.

In the 21st Century economy, we are competing on global stage. Our children are learning in the most technologically advanced age we've ever known, and our knowledge-based economy continues to evolve. As Nebraskans, we are charting a course toward lifelong learning and entrepreneurship that begins with farmers and ranchers, but this new dynamic affects Main Street, as well as our factories, businesses and fields.

By cooperating on projects like the Nebraska Center, which involves partners like the University of Nebraska, we can continue to expand the reach of our products and our people. The university and the University of Nebraska Medical Center stand to gain additional exposure to international patients and potential students. Our state stands to gain even more.

I want to personally thank each of our partners for making this trip, this center and this moment of opportunity possible. We appreciate their support, especially the generosity of our private partners, and we look forward to sharing a prosperous future of competitive advantage, educational opportunity and economic success.

http://www.gov.state.ne.us/columns/2006/1208.html