Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb is headed north of the border for three days next week.
The Indiana Economic Development Corp. announced Monday afternoon that Holcomb will spend Monday through Wednesday in Canada on a trade mission.
During the trip, Holcomb will meet with government officials from Ottawa, Ontario, Montreal and Quebec to discuss international trade, economic collaboration opportunities and the aerospace industry. He will also tour the MaRS Discovery District, which is an innovation hub in Toronto, and Fednav Group, which is Canada’s largest dry-bulk shipping company.
Holcomb will be joined by Indiana Secretary of Commerce Jim Schellinger, First Lady Janet Holcomb, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson and Ports of Indiana CEO Rich Cooper. Canada is the state’s largest trading partner.
The trip is being paid for through private donations to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation.
Last year, Indiana exported $13 billion worth products to Canada, accounting for nearly 35 percent of the state’s exports. The state imported $7.9 billion worth of goods from Canada in 2017.
More than 70 Canadian businesses have operations in Indiana, employing more than 15,600 residents. Those companies include Dorel Juvenile Group, KIK Custom Products, Canadian National Railway Co. and Magna Powertrain.
Since 2012, the IEDC has announced 19 commitments from Canada-based companies to locate or expand in Indiana. Those plans add up to $480 million in investments and 1,764 new jobs.
The governor took three trade trips last year in his first year in office—to Europe, Japan and India.
“As we work to take Indiana’s business climate to the next level, we are targeting strategic national and international markets that will be essential partners in developing new innovations and creating jobs for Hoosiers,” Holcomb said in written comments. “Canada is not only our closest neighbor, but one of our strongest allies in foreign direct investment and trade. I look forward to building Indiana’s relationships in Canada and to pursuing economic opportunities that will help shape the future of our state.”