OLYMPIA — State officials and business leaders are heading to South Korea and Japan this month to boost Washington’s aerospace industry, as well as other industries.
Gov. Jay Inslee is leading the 9-day trade mission, that also will focus on economic ties for Washington’s agriculture, advanced manufacturing and technology industry sectors.
Last year, Japan was state’s third largest export market, and South Korea was sixth.
Washington’s aerospace sector has strong ties with Japan, where the delegation plans to visit Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. The company is developing a new regional jetliner, which is undergoing test flights in Moses Lake. The delegation also has meetings scheduled with Mitsubishi Aircraft’s parent company, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which makes the wings for Boeing’s 787, and Toray Composites, another Boeing supplier.
For aerospace businesses, the stop in Korea will be more introductory, said Alex Pietsch, director of the state’s Office of Aerospace.
The delegation includes the state’s directors of the agriculture and commerce departments, as well as business leaders and others from the education, economic development and local government communities.
Inslee will leave the state Aug. 28, heading first to Seoul, South Korea. He will then travel to japan, stopping in Kobe, Nagoya and Tokyo.
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