BATON ROUGE, La. – Governor Jeff Landry arrived in Seoul, South Korea to lead a series of meetings with business executives and government leaders of one of the state’s most important trading partners and foreign direct investors. The trip, the governor’s first overseas economic development mission since taking office in January, is designed to strengthen relationships with major South Korean companies currently doing business in Louisiana or considering future investments in the state. South Korea is Louisiana’s 11th largest export market, and fourth largest import market; the total combined value of imported and exported goods in 2023 was $4.55 billion. Korea is also the world’s third largest liquefied natural gas importer in the world, which includes exports from Cheniere and Cameron LNG facilities in south Louisiana.
Among the state officials joining the governor are Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois, LED Chief Business Development Officer Paige Carter, LED Director of Business Development Jacob Ellis, Transoceanic Development CEO Greg Rusovich-who serves as Chairman of the Louisiana Board of International Commerce, and Senator Eddie Lambert
“Business success begins with building strong relationships. I promised Louisiana that we would focus on the businesses and industries that built this state, and South Korea has a long history of business relationships with Louisiana. We look forward to our work this week with Secretary Bourgeois to enhance those relationships and bring more jobs and investment back to our state," said Gov. Landry
“The logistical advantages of doing business in Louisiana have placed the state at the epicenter of world trade for centuries,” LED Secretary Bourgeois said. “Our leadership in energy innovation, coupled with the expansion of our port network and container terminal capacity, have created unique advantages in the intense competition among states vying for new foreign investment. By proactively enhancing alliances with important trading partners like South Korea, the governor is positioning Louisiana to win.”
