Governor Corbett to Lead PA Delegation to Brazil and Chile to Develop New Opportunities for Investment and Job Growth

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett departs this weekend for Brazil and Chile where he will lead a delegation of Pennsylvania business, tourism and university leaders on a business development mission that will focus on creating new economic opportunities for job growth.

The three-city, two-country mission, privately funded by Team Pennsylvania Foundation, is scheduled for April 6-16 and will include stops in the Brazilian cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, along with Santiago, Chile.

"I am leading this delegation to Brazil and Chile to open new doors for economic growth and job creation and to keep Pennsylvania at the forefront of international business development," Corbett said.

Corbett will be joined by 19 businesses, both large and small, from across the state and across all industry sectors.

Fluortek, Inc., headquartered in Easton, specializes in custom dimensioned tubing for medical device applications and will look to connect with potential clients. Brookville Equipment, headquartered in Jefferson County, manufactures rail-mounted and rubber-tired locomotives used primarily in the mining industry and will look to tap into the Brazilian and Chilean mining supply chain.

Additional companies attending the mission represent the energy, life sciences, manufacturing, technology, mining and equipment, and transportation and logistics industries.

"With more than 15,000 Pennsylvania businesses currently selling goods and services abroad supporting nearly 400,000 jobs here at home, exports will continue to be a critical component of our economy," Corbett said. "Strengthening our trade relationships with Brazil and Chile will lead to new export growth and jobs for Pennsylvanians."

Companies joining the mission will receive personalized market intelligence and industry information, a customized schedule of pre-arranged, one-on-one appointments with business partners, in-country logistics assistance, and consultations with trade experts before, during and after the mission to assist with all aspects of its business development strategy.

Additionally, nine economic development and tourism groups and chambers of commerce will be a part of the delegation. They will join the governor at Pennsylvania investment seminars, and have one-on-one meetings arranged with potential investment prospects. To promote Pennsylvania as a top tourism destination, meetings are scheduled with travel agency officials to discuss conventions and group visitor potential, and to discuss cultural exchanges.

Drexel University will also join the delegation and will meet with potential university partners to discuss international student recruitment opportunities, and various joint partnerships that may be undertaken in the areas of degree-granting, research and exchanges.

First Lady Susan Corbett, Department of Community and Economic Development Secretary C. Alan Walker, Department of Labor and Industry Secretary Julia Hearthway and Public Utilities Commission Chairman Rob Powelson will be joining the governor on the mission.

On the mission, Corbett will meet with high-level Brazilian and Chilean government officials including the governor of Sao Paulo, the governor of Rio de Janeiro, and Chilean President, Sebastian Pinera. The governor will also participate in transportation, oil and gas, and mining roundtables and host Invest in PA seminars.

Additionally, the governor will have one-on-one meetings with companies that have a presence in Pennsylvania and companies that are considering investing in the state. Corbett will also participate in events to promote tourism and will host alumni of Pennsylvania colleges and universities who now live in Brazil and Chile.

For more information about the governor's Jobs First Mission to Brazil and Chile, visit www.paglobal.org.  

Media contacts:
Kelli Roberts, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116
Steve Kratz, DCED; 717-783-1132

Editors Note: Below is a list of participants in the delegation:

Businesses
Braskem America, Marcus Hook  
Brookville Equipment, Brookville
Dancing Dots, Valley Forge
Dbi Services, Hazleton
Fluortek, Easton
GasBraker, Malvern *Chile only
Greenville Neuromodulation Services, Greenville 
Green Filter USA, Mt. Braddock
Holt Logistics, Philadelphia
ITSI BioSciences, Johnstown 
Logistics Plus, Erie
New Pig Corporation, Tipton 
NovaTech LLC, Quakertown
Rajant Corporation, Malvern 
Regenex Corporation, West Middlesex 
Urban Translations, Jamison - *Brazil only
Walmart, Statewide
Wharton Research Data Services, Philadelphia 
XTL, Inc., Philadelphia

Economic Development Groups
Allegheny Conference *Brazil only
Chilean & American Chamber of Commerce *Chile only 
Franklin County Economic Development Corporation *Brazil only
PA Chamber of Business and Industry 
Philadelphia Regional Port Authority 
Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber *Chile only 
Select Greater Philadelphia *Brazil only
Team Pennsylvania Foundation

Tourism
Philadelphia Convention and Visitor's Bureau, Philadelphia

Postsecondary Education
Drexel University, Philadelphia

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor