Georgia is rapidly strengthening its international presence through targeted economic development delegations and global trade missions led by Governor Brian P. Kemp. While foreign travel was largely constrained during his initial term, the Governor’s second-term itinerary reflects a proactive strategy to expand the state’s global economic footprint, recruit corporate investors, and solidify international supply chains.
According to official releases from the Office of the Governor and the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), Georgia’s international outreach spans key commercial hubs across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. These high-level missions focus on recruiting foreign direct investment, expanding market access for Georgia-made products, and promoting the state’s world-class transportation and logistics infrastructure—including Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and the Deepwater Ports of Savannah and Brunswick.
Strategic Diplomatic and Economic Outreach Across South America
The state’s economic momentum in South America reached a major milestone as Governor Kemp, accompanied by First Lady Marty Kemp and economic officials, completed a diplomatic and trade mission to Chile and Peru. The delegation engaged with top corporate executives, international trade representatives, and foreign government officials to enhance bilateral commercial ties.
Official trade data confirms that Georgia’s annual commercial exchanges with Chile and Peru represent nearly $1 billion in cargo movement. Chile, a top-20 global trading partner for the state, imported $761 million in Georgia goods in 2025, while exports to Peru exceeded $203 million. Georgia has maintained continuous economic representation in Chile since 2005 and in Peru since 2018.
Key executive meetings during the South American mission focused on key industries, including forestry, agribusiness, manufacturing, and international aviation connectivity. Major forestry and paper product manufacturers headquartered in Chile, such as Arauco and CMPC, maintain their North American corporate operations in Georgia. Discussions also highlighted strategic aviation partnerships, such as the operational joint venture between Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and LATAM, which links North and South America across more than 300 destinations.
This initiative follows a previous trade delegation to Brazil and Argentina, where state agricultural officials and port representatives met with South American business leaders to lower trade barriers, expand rural agribusiness opportunities, and reinforce bilateral security cooperation through the Georgia National Guard’s State Partnership Program.
Recruiting High-Tech Manufacturing and Clean Energy Investment
Georgia’s global economic strategy extends well beyond the Western Hemisphere. In Europe and Asia, official missions have successfully recruited high-value investments in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and clean energy technology.
In South Korea, state delegations met with executive leadership from major automotive and technology conglomerates. These talks supported the development of the multi-billion-dollar Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Bryan County, representing the largest single economic development project in Georgia’s history. The facility and its expansive supplier network are projected to create over 12,000 advanced manufacturing jobs.
European trade engagements have yielded similar strategic gains. During visits to the Paris Air Show, state officials promoted Georgia’s thriving aerospace ecosystem—which remains the state’s top commercial export. Recent economic missions to the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland, and Scotland reinforced corporate partnerships with major building material, packaging, and aviation support equipment manufacturers operating facilities across Georgia.
In addition to economic trade, diplomatic visits to Poland and the Republic of Georgia underscored the state’s international defense and cultural ties, including honoring historical commemorations and visiting deployed Georgia National Guard personnel.
Delivering Generational Economic Impact to Rural Communities
A core objective of Georgia global trade missions is ensuring that international corporate investments deliver tangible benefits to rural communities across the state. State economic development officials emphasize that face-to-face engagements build long-term trust with foreign executives, encouraging multinational firms to establish manufacturing plants and distribution centers outside major metropolitan areas.
Demonstrating the direct result of global business recruitment, state officials recently announced a landmark $1.3 billion investment from Walmart, Inc. to construct a 1.5 million-square-foot automated fulfillment center in rural Franklin County. The project will create 1,000 high-tech logistics jobs, providing modern employment opportunities for local residents in northeast Georgia.
By aligning international diplomacy, targeted business recruitment, and statewide infrastructure development, Georgia continues to strengthen its position as a global commercial hub. State leadership remains committed to expanding international trade corridors, attracting innovative foreign enterprises, and creating high-paying jobs for communities throughout Georgia.
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