Governor Jim Pillen says Nebraska’s trade mission to Japan and the Philippines is already opening doors for the state’s agricultural producers and manufacturers. Speaking from Manila on Tuesday, Pillen said the delegation has met with meat importers, flour milling companies, energy leaders and government officials to strengthen trade relationships and expand markets for Nebraska products.
Pillen said discussions in Japan focused on growing exports of Nebraska beef, pork, poultry and wheat while also exploring opportunities in clean energy. In the Philippines, the delegation met with U.S. Ambassador Lee Lipton, officials from the Philippine Department of Agriculture and ethanol industry leaders interested in expanding fuel partnerships.
“We’ve had some extraordinary moments on our trip,” Pillen says. “We had really important discussions about continual opportunities to grow the export markets for beef and pork and poultry in Japan.”
State Senator Rita Sanders, who is part of the delegation, said the Philippines is a growing market where Nebraska can build long-term trade relationships. Chief Industries President and CEO D.J. Eihusen said Nebraska products are highly regarded for their quality and noted the Philippines’ growing demand for ethanol and manufactured goods.
He also pointed to the country’s young, expanding population as a promising market for future exports. During the media briefing, Pillen defended the cost of the trip after being asked about state budget cuts, saying commodity groups such as the Corn Board, Pork Board, Wheat Board and ethanol industry cover most trade mission expenses.
He called the trip “an investment in Nebraska,” not simply government spending. Pillen also highlighted opportunities created by Japan’s move toward E10 ethanol and said Nebraska’s investments in carbon capture position the state’s ethanol industry to compete in emerging international clean fuel markets.
Pillen said the delegation will continue meetings in Manila before concluding the trade mission Wednesday.