Governor to lead trade mission to Japan, Singapore

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and a group of economic development officials are heading to Singapore and Japan, where they will tout the state’s efforts in advanced energy technologies, explore “natural gas export opportunities” and meet with the prime ministers of both countries.

State Economic Development Secretary Rob Black and Caroline Buerkle, deputy chief operating officer in the Governor’s Office, will join Lujan Grisham on the trip, which starts Saturday and is being paid for by The New Mexico Partnership, an Albuquerque-based nonprofit that focuses on business recruitment efforts.

“We’re focusing on creating jobs and attracting investment to our state while strengthening relationships with companies already doing business in New Mexico,” Lujan Grisham said in a statement.

State officials will meet with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong of Singapore to discuss “economic partnerships” and the potential for foreign direct investment in New Mexico, the news release said. State officials will also meet with the chair of Temasek Holdings Limited, which has investments in New Mexico’s border region.

Lujan Grisham will also meet with Japan’s prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, to discuss energy and technology partnerships. She will be hosted by the U.S. ambassador to Japan at a reception, the Governor’s Office said.

The governor traveling the globe to strengthen ties is nothing new.

In August, Lujan Grisham traveled to India to discuss economic development and education issues. She also visited Mexico in September for a clean energy and energy security discussion with Ken Salazar, the United States’ previous ambassador to Mexico.

Since taking office in 2019, Lujan Grisham has traveled to Dubai and Egypt for climate change summits. She has also led trade missions to Taiwan, Australia and the Netherlands.