The Texas Economic Development Corporation is leading a tour of Europe today through Wednesday—and it’s not there just for the sightseeing. The trip is all about selling top European business centers on Texas.
TxEDC—the “private side” of a public-private partnership with Governor Greg Abbott’s Office of Texas Economic Development & Tourism—is sending a delegation to London, Paris, and the Frankfurt, Germany, region to meet with business leaders and host events highlighting Texas as the premier U.S. state in which to do business. TxEDC is both sponsoring and paying for the trip, the governor’s office said.
From Texas’ first lady to several North Texas leaders
TxEDC’s Robert Allen
The TxEDC delegation includes First Lady Cecilia Abbott; Secretary of State John Scott; TxEDC President & CEO Robert Allen; and TED&T Executive Director Adriana Cruz, along with a dozen EDC leaders from across Texas, including representatives of the Dallas Regional Chamber and EDCs from Frisco, McKinney, Irving, and Arlington.
“Texas is an international hub in today’s world economy, and we look forward to strengthening our business relationships in Europe as well as developing new ones,” Robert Allen, TxEDC president and CEO, said in a statement before undertaking the trip.
“From record-breaking job creation, our strong workforce pipeline and our leading tier one research universities, Texas plays an outsized role in the global economy, and we will share that story and more on our upcoming mission,” Allen added.
‘The Texas Brand is strong across the globe’
Texas Governor Abbott—who isn’t part of the delegation—nonetheless has talking points that could find their way into a Euro-business breakfast, lunch, or dinner in the next few days.
“As the top state for attracting job-creating global investments and home to more Fortune 500 headquarters than any other state, Texas offers unmatched operating advantages—a friendly business climate and a young, diverse, skilled, and growing workforce,” Abbott said in a statement. “Along with easy access to global markets, a robust infrastructure and transportation network, predictable regulations, and overall economic strength, Texas has created a framework where businesses can flourish and Texans can prosper.”
Secretary Scott has some talking points of his own. He says he’s met with leaders from more than 50 nations, and has found that “the Texas Brand is strong across the globe.”
“I can tell you that every single one is hyper-focused on doing business in and with the State of Texas,” Scott said. “I look forward to identifying new opportunities for world-class companies to expand their footprint in Texas and help bring even greater prosperity to communities across our state.”
‘Three of our top international markets’
Cruz, the executive director of Texas Economic Development & Tourism in the governor’s office, says the trip’s itinerary represents “three of our top international markets.”
The U.K., France, and Germany are already key trading partners with Texas. The governor’s office noted that they’re among the top countries for foreign direct investment projects across the state—in industries including aerospace and aviation, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, IT, and more.
“Texas is truly the best state for business,” Cruz said, noting that the delegation of state and local community partners will be promoting Texas “as a premier business destination to business leaders in the U.K., France, and Germany.”
Three destinations’ investments in Texas
According to the governor’s office, here are details on global investments the three destinations made in Texas over the last decade:
- “United Kingdom companies reported 341 investment projects in Texas, expected to create $5.5 billion in capital investment and more than 14,500 new jobs.”
- “French companies reported 85 investment projects in Texas, expected to create $5.9 billion in capital investment and more than 7,000 new jobs.”
- “German companies reported 154 investment projects in Texas, expected to create $9.8 billion in capital investment and more than 12,600 new jobs.”
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