Holcomb is expected to travel to Brazil and Mexico for economic development

Indianapolis, Indiana – This time, Governor Eric Holcomb will travel to Brazil and Mexico for the sake of economic growth. This trip will be privately sponsored and will take place in the following weeks.
It is stated in a press release issued by the governor’s office that the purpose of the trip is to foster “innovation and growth of the agricultural economy and the agricultural bioscience industry.” Private contributions to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation will fund the cost of his first official travel to both countries, which will be his first official trip to both countries.

“Indiana agriculture and agbiosciences continues to be a catalyst for economic and community growth, contributing $58.1 billion annually to the state’s economy,” said Holcomb in a release. “Brazil and Mexico both represent opportunities to collaborate and mutually advance trade, innovation and investment across the sector, spurring developments across food safety, security and sustainability that are critical to the global economy of the future.”

According to the press release, the amount of money that Indiana traded with Brazil and Mexico in 2023 was greater than $1.7 billion and $13.4 billion, respectively. There are 14 businesses located in Brazil and 13 businesses based in Mexico that are within the state’s borders.

Holcomb, First Lady Janet Holcomb, members from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC), and agriculture officials will depart on Friday, April 12, and return one week later. They will spend five days in Brazil and three days in Mexico during their trip.

The journey begins in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil, to establish and establish relationships with individuals and opportunities inside the government, academic institutions, and industry sectors. Holcomb is scheduled to meet with Elizabeth Bagley, the United States Ambassador to Brazil, as well as Solinftec, a digital agriculture firm that announced in 2018 that it would establish its headquarters in West Lafayette, Indiana, in West Lafayette.

At two roundtables, which will be organized by the Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo (FIESP) in cooperation with Bayer, a worldwide life sciences organization, Holcomb and other individuals will present them with the opportunity to showcase the state to influential industry leaders. In addition, the group will be meeting with companies established in Indiana that are currently functioning in Brazil. These companies include Corteva and Elanco.

Additionally, a Friends of Indiana Reception will be held for the group, which will be hosted by Consul General David Hodge of the United States Embassy.

The Holcombs are scheduled to depart Brazil on April 17 and travel to Mexico City, where the governor is scheduled to meet with several authorities, including the United States Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, and the Mexican Secretary of Economy, Raquel Buenrerostro. On the commercial front, the delegation will meet with the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico and take part in a roundtable discussion centered on meat processing. Additionally, they will meet with Atarraya, a Mexican company that has invested in Indiana and is primarily concerned with the cultivation of sustainable shrimp protein.

On April 19, the Holcombs will begin their journey back to Indiana.