Indiana Lieutenant Governor to Lead Agricultural Trade Mission to Taiwan

PR0645E | Date: 2006-09-27

Lt. Governor Becky Skillman and Indiana Agriculture Director Andy Miller will lead a delegation of more than 30 Indiana agribusiness leaders and state government and education officials in Taiwan from October 2 to October 4.  The goal of the mission in Taiwan is to connect delegates with individual business counterparts here, such as retailers, wholesalers, restaurant chains and importers, thereby creating new business opportunities for Indiana's food and agricultural industry.

"Indiana has hosted two Taiwan delegations of food and agricultural leaders in the past year alone," said Lt. Governor Skillman.  "We are now traveling to Taiwan to pursue leads from those visits and from the Governor's trade mission to Taiwan in August 2005.  I am confident that our visit to this market will yield many future benefits."

According to Indiana Agriculture Director Andy Miller, "From previous agricultural trade missions we have seen the greatest interest in Indiana's hardwood, pork, soybean and corn sectors.  We also see opportunities for a large variety of value-added products.  Our delegation will focus on these key areas."  Director Miller and Deputy Agriculture Director Beth Bechdol will organize and coordinate the trade mission.

One successful trade relationship built up from past trade missions involves wine. Taiwan wine importing companies have met with Indiana wine exporters and have developed a thriving business.  This is but one example of the sometimes unexpected and valuable business ties that have resulted from this ongoing exchange.

As their fellow delegation members investigate business opportunities, representatives from Purdue University will meet with National Taiwan University officials to discuss future collaboration.

The Indiana delegation includes a wide range of food and agricultural companies (see below).  The delegation will arrive in Taiwan on October 1 and spend October 2nd, 3rd, and 4th here before going to Vietnam, their next stop.  The delegation also will receive briefings from staff of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and will hold meetings with Taiwan officials.

Please find below the delegation list with an indication of their interests.

For more information about the delegation, please contact:

State of Indiana Taiwan Office, IEDC Director Jeff T. Wang Tel: (02) 2729-6103 Fax: (02) 2729-9719 Email: jwang.iedc@msa.hinet.net