Virginia trade delegation visiting Israel and United Arab Emirates

Gov. Ralph Northam is leading a six-day international trade and marketing mission to Israel and the United Arab Emirates.

The goal of such trips is to promote Virginia’s advantages as a business location and tourist destination while developing markets for agricultural exports.

Northam was scheduled to leave Friday night for Tel Aviv with Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring. Also on the trip are representatives from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Tourism Corp. and the Virginia Israel Advisory Board.

In addition to Tel Aviv, the group will visit Jerusalem in Israel and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

“We live in a competitive global economy and it is important that we share the Virginia story with businesses and trade partners around the world who are interested in buying our goods and services,” Northam said in a statement released Friday. “International trade and marketing missions are critical tools to recruit new investment to the commonwealth and maintain the relationships that will lead to new jobs, more exports by Virginia companies and shared economic growth.”

The Virginia delegation is expected to participate in nearly 30 meetings. Northam will host a Virginia reception in Tel Aviv, speak at a Dubai Chamber of Commerce luncheon and meet with U.S. embassy officials in both countries.

The trip follows Wednesday’s unveiling of the commonwealth’s strategic plan for international trade. The plan’s goal is to increase Virginia exports 50% within the next 15 years.