GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson travels to Germany to support economic growth, strengthen international relations

In mid-July, Georgia Commissioner for Economic Development Pat Wilson traveled to Germany with a main focus on strengthening international ties and driving economic growth during this global pandemic. Accompanied by representatives from the state’s Europe Office located in Munich, he safely met with prospective investors, existing industry, and government officials, as well as with tourism and trade representatives.

Explore Georgia

As Germany is Georgia’s second most active international tourism market, part of Commissioner Wilson’s visit was to meet with the state’s two tourism promotion representatives based in Munich, Germany. They discussed current developments and trends in the industry, which supports approximately 478,000 jobs in Georgia and is among the hardest hit since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. While travel remains limited due to COVID-19, the Explore Georgia team has devised creative ways to keep Georgians engaged and interested in the state through activities such as online puzzles, virtual visits, and new backgrounds to use during meetings on Zoom.

As the tourism industry recovers and travelers gain more confidence in being able to safely travel to and experience new places, Georgia is well-positioned to offer unique and interesting opportunities where health and safety guidelines can be observed. Georgia is a diverse and beautiful state, and when domestic and international travelers begin to travel more freely again and leave virtual visits behind, the tourism team in Munich will help German travelers find those new experiences in Georgia.

Georgia Grown

The Commissioner’s visit to Germany also included a little surprise: Georgia Grown products are available at the American Heritage store in Munich! He met with the store owner to discuss the market for unique American products and American Heritage’s support for Georgia Grown companies to do business in Germany. Germany is one of Georgia’s top 5 export markets, which saw a 20% increase in 2019. The importance of Georgia Grown for the state is also evident in the recent announcement that the Port of Savannah is the top U.S. port for agricultural products, accounting for 15.8% of all U.S. agricultural exports in 2019. Among these major exports is Georgia Grown produce such as cotton, peanuts, pecans and blueberries. 

Georgia Made

In February, Governor Kemp unveiled the Georgia Made™ logo and announced a program that internationally and domestically owned Georgia manufacturing companies use to inform customers and the public that a company’s products are “manufactured” in Georgia. Manufacturing in the state continues to be strengthened by international companies that steadily invest in Georgia. 

Germany ranks in the top 3 as one of Georgia’s strategic investment partners and the Governor’s mission in January and Commissioner Wilson’s visit are testaments to the state’s commitment to its existing industry and prospective investors. The Commissioner visited Gerresheimer and Siemens, which both have an existing footprint in Georgia and have been important players in the fight against COVID-19. He also met with Volkswagen and learned more about its ambitious push towards electrification, an initiative that will count on the indispensable role and support of SK innovation, which will supply the very battery cells that will power vehicles rolling off the line in the United States.  As the trip drew to a close in Attendorn, Germany, Commissioner Wilson announced an $85 million investment by GEDIA, a German automotive supplier of lightweight parts for electric vehicles. This project will bring 200 new job opportunities to the greater Dalton area.

International Relations

No trip overseas is complete without strengthening ties and exchanging best practices with our regional partners and friends. Commissioner Wilson met with Bavarian government officials and discussed their contributions and roles in the multilateral Regional Leader Summit (RLS). RLS is a partnership comprising seven regional governments: Bavaria (Germany), Georgia (USA), Québec (Canada), São Paulo (Brazil), Shandong (China), Upper Austria (Austria), and Western Cape (South Africa). While multilateral cooperation like RLS is of strategic importance, transatlantic relations are further underpinned by bilateral regional relationships between the State of Georgia and the Free State of Bavaria that encompass commercial, economic, cultural, educational, political and other strategic topics.

Finally, Commissioner Wilson was also able to spend time with Consul General Meghan Gregonis during his visit in Munich.  As the leading American diplomat serving in Bavaria, Gregonis is on the front lines in one of the most important and strategic markets in Europe.  Wilson was able to thank her and her team for her efforts to grow business, strengthen political and cultural relationships and represent U.S. interests in Bavaria.

Going Forward

The Department’s first international travel since March, this visit carried the message that Germany is a top priority market for Georgia and laid a foundation for future jobs and investment in our state. Commissioner Wilson is now safely back in Georgia, bringing new partnerships and sharing news and lessons learned with government and business contacts and the public.

 

--Posted August 12, 2020