**NOTE**: Before beginning his travel today, Gov. John Bel Edwards held a modified Unified Command Group briefing with the National Weather Service, cabinet secretaries and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for an update on the areas impacted by last night’s severe weather. Fortunately, there were no deaths or major injuries. Early reports indicate one tornado touched down in Caddo Parish and damaged approximately 20 homes and several businesses. One minor injury was reported in Webster Parish. GOHSEP officials are working with local governments as they assess the damages and will continue to keep Gov. Edwards updated on any further developments.

BATON ROUGE, La. – Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards is traveling to Asia to begin a weeklong series of meetings with executives of major Japanese and South Korean companies currently doing business in Louisiana or considering future investments in the state. The trip, the first Louisiana trade mission to Asia in almost a decade, is designed to strengthen ties to one of the state’s most important international trading partners, and reinforce Louisiana’s unique advantages for major jobs-creating business development and expansion projects.

The governor will be joined by Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson, as well as members of the governor’s staff and LED’s Office of International Commerce. In addition to the business engagements, the governor will meet with high-ranking Japanese and Korean policy makers and the U.S. ambassadors to the two countries. He is scheduled to depart Louisiana Friday, March 3, and return Saturday, March 11.

“This important trip to maintain standing relationships with our international partners, and develop new ones, was delayed by the pandemic and is long overdue,” Gov. Edwards said. “Asian imports, exports and manufacturing investments have driven job creation and economic expansion in Louisiana for decades. The impact of those investments has grown dramatically in recent years, and it is imperative that we cultivate opportunities for continued growth. I am also excited to share with these partners our groundbreaking climate action plan and bold port infrastructure investments, which continue to give Louisiana a competitive edge over other states in our increasingly interconnected global economy.”

Louisiana has been ranked as the No. 1 state for per capita foreign direct investment for 10 consecutive years, and Asia-Pacific companies drive a significant amount of that investment.  According to the independent international trade monitor fDi Markets, 27 companies in nine Asia-Pacific countries have invested $19.7 billion in the state between 2013 and 2023, responsible for creating 7,108 jobs. More than $5 billion and nearly 4,000 jobs were generated by Japanese and South Korean projects alone over that 10-year period.

The total value of goods imported into Louisiana from Japan in 2022 was about $524 million, up from $392 million in 2021 and $327 million in 2020. The total value of goods exported from Louisiana to Japan was $5.3 billion in 2022, up from $4.4 billion in 2021 and $2.8 billion in 2020. Japan and Korea are also the world’s first and third largest liquefied natural gas importers, which includes exports from Cheniere and Cameron LNG facilities in South Louisiana.

“Companies that already have significant investments in Louisiana understand better than anyone the unique value proposition of investing in our state,” Pierson said. “That’s why it’s so critical for the governor to meet face-to-face with the leaders of these companies and these countries. Gov. Edwards’ presence is a meaningful gesture in expressing gratitude for the confidence they have placed in the workers of Louisiana. But more importantly, it allows him to update our current and future partners about the transformation of the state’s energy and manufacturing sectors, and the unique opportunities that it creates for new investment.”

The governor will begin his week in Tokyo, where he plans to meet with top executives of Zen-Noh, a major grain exporter that has its North American headquarters in Covington; Shin-Etsu, the parent company of Shintech, the PVC manufacturer that has more than $10 billion worth of facility investments in the state; and Tokai, which manufactures carbon black, a material used for a variety of consumer end products ranging from automobile tires to computer printer inks and plastics.

The second leg of the mission will take place in Seoul, South Korea. Gov. Edwards and LED officials will meet with the president and CEO of Lotte Chemical, one of the world’s largest chemical manufacturers, which has an existing facility in Lake Charles and recently announced a potential future project in Louisiana with CF Industries; and Kumho Tire, which announced plans in January for a new 350,000 square foot warehouse and distribution facility in St. Mary Parish.  

Diplomatic engagements also are scheduled in both countries. They are expected to include meetings with Japan’s Agency for Natural Resources and Energy to discuss the state’s commitment to emissions reduction and sustainability; U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel; U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Philip S. Goldberg; and South Korea’s 2nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lee Dohoon.