Alabama Governor Riley Seeks Job Opportunities for Alabamians on Economic Development Mission

June 08, 2009 -- MONTGOMERY - Alabama Governor Bob Riley is going to three continents over 13 days this month on an economic development mission designed to attract new jobs and expand Alabama’s trade opportunities.

Joined by Dennis Richardson, the Australian ambassador to the U.S., at a news conference today Governor Riley announced he will be leading a delegation of Alabama business and government leaders to France, Singapore and Australia from June 12-24.

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“We’re going to bring more jobs and more business opportunities to our state at a time when our economy really needs it,” said Governor Riley. “During the past few years, Alabama has become a real player in the international economy. Our growth in exports is among the nation’s best. Alabama has reached this level of success because we’ve worked hard to open new markets, attract new investments and build the partnerships that are necessary to expand Alabama’s trade and strengthen our economy.”

Previous overseas economic development missions during Governor Riley’s administration led to 40 business agreements.

The first part of the mission will focus on bringing more aviation and aerospace jobs to Alabama with meetings at the Paris Air Show, one of the world’s premier aviation business events. The air show is the venue for the world’s civil and military aviation and aerospace suppliers and their customers to gather and discuss potential business agreements. The Governor has scheduled meeting with executives of 11 aerospace companies and the state’s delegation will meet with more than 80 additional companies. Governor Riley will also take part in a Northrop Grumman/EADS briefing on the KC-45 refueling tanker that will be built in Mobile if Northrop Grumman is successful in winning a Pentagon contract. About 100 officials from Alabama, Florida and Mississippi are expected to attend the briefing.

“The jobs in aviation and aerospace are high-paying jobs and this is one of the fastest-growing industry sectors in Alabama,” said Governor Riley. “Alabama must remain aggressive in our recruitment of these jobs.”

Alabama is home to more than 300 companies in the aviation and aerospace field, which accounts for 140,000 direct and indirect jobs in the state.

Recruiting aviation and aerospace jobs will remain the focus when Governor Riley leaves France for a meeting with company executives during a one-day stop in Singapore before he travels on to Australia for three days of meetings. There, the Governor will be joined by a delegation of about 20 Alabama business and government leaders working to expand trade and tourism opportunities. The delegation will also showcase Alabama’s new container terminal at the port in Mobile.

Australia is Alabama’s 15th largest export market. Companies in Alabama exported $205 million worth of goods to Australia in 2008. Since the United States and Australia signed a free trade agreement in 2004, Alabama exports to Australia have increased 65 percent. During the past year, the top products shipped from Alabama to Australia include vehicles, industrial machinery, electric machinery and plastics.

In Australia, Governor Riley will also visit the headquarters of Austal. The company is building the next generation of U.S. Navy combat ship at its facility in Mobile, which is expanding and is expected to employ approximately 2,500.

“The economic relationship between Alabama and Australia has grown tremendously in the past few years. We will work to strengthen these ties because Australia represents a significant growth market for our exports,” said Governor Riley.

Source: Alabama Governor