The Gov. Phil Murphy-led, Choose New Jersey-coordinated, financed and organized economic mission through East Asia is in its final leg.
As NJBIZ has reported throughout the week, the delegation includes Murphy, First Lady Tammy Murphy, lawmakers, officials, business and academic leaders, and other stakeholders. The group has been traveling through East Asia, meeting with political and business leaders resulting in a slew of activity, including new partnerships, roundtable discussions and seminars, as well as ample opportunities to pitch the great Garden State to different countries and entities.
The trip began in Japan before moving to South Korea. It will wrap up with a previously unannounced stop in Taiwan.
“Taiwan has long been one of New Jersey’s most vital economic, academic, and cultural partners,” said Murphy. “New Jersey is a global leader in life sciences, fintech, and infrastructure, which are key areas of investments for East Asia.”
You can check out more on the overview and early parts of the trip here and on the rest of the Japan leg here.
Some notable developments from the South Korea leg of the trip include:
The signing of two academic agreements with Stockton University and Sookmyung Women’s University;
The signing of an Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) between Princeton University and CJ AI Center to establish an AI research collaboration;
The signing of a Certificate of Recognition with PSEG, Cheryong Electric and Taihan Cable and Solution;
The signing of an MOU between New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC) and South Korea National Police Agency to establish driver’s license reciprocity;
The signing of four MOUs between top New Jersey and Korean research universities;
The signing of an MOU between Yangcheon-gu Maternal and Child Health Promotion Center and the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA);
The signing of a friendship agreement with the City of Seoul to establish a formal economic relationship and a commitment to support the community’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups; and so much more.
The trip, which started Oct. 14, runs through Oct. 22.
One of the early deliverables announced from the Taiwan leg came late Thursday night (ET) as the governor and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen announced plans for Choose New Jersey to open an Asia-Pacific office in Taipei City, Taiwan, in 2024.
The outpost will be the fifth international office for the state’s leading nonprofit economic development organization.
“The opening of Choose New Jersey’s first-ever Asia-Pacific office is once-in-a-generation opportunity to unleash unprecedented growth and prosperity for both New Jersey and the Asia-Pacific region, especially Taiwan,” said Phil Murphy. “With this new office, we will strengthen the economic and cultural ties that have connected our people for decades, create new opportunities for workers and families, and help preserve a free and open exchange of ideas, trade, and collaboration that benefits both New Jersey and our partners in the region.”
“The relationship between New Jersey and our East Asian partners has long promoted our mutual goal of economic prosperity and increased academic and cultural ties,” said Wesley Mathews, president and CEO of Choose New Jersey. “The bonds we share will only be strengthened by New Jersey’s full-time presence in East Asia, and I am excited to work closely with businesses throughout the region to strengthen those relationships and expand their opportunities for growth in New Jersey and the United States.”
NJBIZ will have continued coverage of any notable developments from the home stretch of the trip.
Take a photo tour
Click here to see more highlights from the first leg of New Jersey’s economic mission to East Asia.
