Abilene delegate joins Gov. Abbott’s economic outreach mission to three Asian countries

ABILENE, Texas ( KTAB/KRBC )- Texas Governor Greg Abbott and a team of Texas city economic delegates are over halfway through with a three country tour of Asia. The Governor announced his economic outreach mission to South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan earlier this year. Key City business interests are represented on this trip through the Development Corporation of Abilene President and CEO Misty Mayo, one of 28 selected from Texas cities to join the Governor in these meetings.

“It’s a trip but it’s an important trip for Texas and certainly an important trip for Abilene…I’ve been doing economic development for decades and this is certainly a highlight of my career,” Mayo said.

(Courtesy: Office of the Texas Governor)

KTAB/KRBC caught up with Mayo over the phone as she was boarding a flight from South Korea to Japan for the last leg of the mission. She conveyed the massive opportunities this trip represents for Abilene, not only with our international business partners but to demonstrate the city’s potential as a major port of industry.

“It has been an extremely rigorous schedule, and there’s something very special about having these opportunities. The delegation small enough that last night I was seated next to the first lady, you know, just the access to state leadership to ensure they know that Abilene is serious about growing the future for our community,” said Mayo.

Mayo made full use of her time overseas, adding that outside the official itinerary she has made connections with business and industry leaders that have direct links back to Abilene manufacturing and commerce.

“In part why the schedule’s so rigorous is that…apart from the trade mission delegation, I have prepared for the last two months…and reached out to companies and I’m meeting with companies that have some existing ties to Abilene. That is of critical importance for us strengthening existing ties and then through the delegations, seeking out new ties,” Mayo said.

Established and burgeoning industries in Abilene such as Semi-conductor manufacturing stand to benefit from those relationships through import, export, and our three nations growing bonds. And as international tensions rise developments such as the Governors announcement on Sunday of his plans to establish a “State of Texas” office in Taiwan , Texas and in turn Abilene may provide a path to stronger U.S.-Foreign relations.

“These three countries are important trade partners, and the more we can sit with them and break bread and tour their operations, the more partnership we’re able to build. And that partnership builds trust and trust builds long term relationships that ultimately…We ensure that opportunities for Texas really mean opportunities for Abilene,” said Mayo.

A few key moments from the trip already include the delegation’s visit to the Samsung semi-conductor facility in South Korea, An agreement with a South Korean steel corporation to expand manufacturing in Temple Texas , and the announcement of plans to establish a Texas State office in Taiwan.

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