Home » Grimes to promote Kentucky economic development in Taiwan

Grimes to promote Kentucky economic development in Taiwan

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 10, 2013) — Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is working to advance Kentucky’s economic development efforts by sharing information about Kentucky, its business climate and economic development opportunities as part of a delegation traveling to Asia.

Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes

Grimes is one of six secretaries of state selected to participate, and the trip is being coordinated and completely funded by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office.

“I’m excited and honored to have this unique opportunity to share the advantages Kentucky has to offer to new and expanding businesses,” said Grimes, whose office oversees all businesses operating in the commonwealth. Grimes, Kentucky’s Chief Election Official, also will address election matters with a particular focus on absentee voting procedures for Kentuckians living abroad.

The delegation will spend time in several cities in Taiwan. Taiwan is Kentucky’s 13th largest import partner and 15th largest export partner, with nearly $288 million of Kentucky exports in 2011. Numerous Kentucky companies, including Lexmark, Brown-Forman, Ashland Oil and Sunspring Metal Corp., have offices there.

“Over the past year, I’ve worked with our General Assembly to update our laws so that Kentucky truly is open for business,” Grimes said. “Encouraging businesses to make Kentucky their home and growing our economy is the next step.”

Taiwan and Kentucky have been sister states for more than 30 years. After tornadoes devastated much of Eastern Kentucky in March 2012, Taiwan donated $30,000 to aid recovery efforts, and in 2011 it donated $20,000 to the Louisville chapter of the American Red Cross to assist with flood/disaster relief.