The goal of the Kentucky delegation is to strengthen Kentucky's international economic position and bring more foreign businesses to the commonwealth.
Gov. Andy Beshear and other state officials will meet with around 45 companies. Sixteen of these companies already have a footprint in Kentucky.
During his Team Kentucky update, Beshear said improving relationships with the U.K. and France is vital during a turbulent time for international trade.
“This is important right now as the president and his ever-changing tariff policies are making trade more complicated and challenging,” Beshear said. “These are Kentucky's 2nd and 3rd largest export markets with over $9.7 billion in goods exported to these countries last year alone.”
Beshear said foreign investment is a significant part of Kentucky's economy.
“Kentucky has over 530 internationally owned facilities that employ over 115,000 Kentuckians. That includes 238 European-owned companies, employing over 40,000 Kentuckians. Our state ranks 5th nationally in Foreign Direct Investment or FDI employment,” the governor said.
The U.K. and France are Kentucky’s second and third-largest export markets, respectively, with more than $9.7 billion worth of goods exported to the two countries in 2024.
Kentucky is home to 26 U.K.-based companies that employ over 2,700 people, 40 French-owned businesses that employ over 5,600 workers, and eight Irish-owned operations that employ nearly 1,000 Kentuckians.
In a press release, Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Jeff Noel, who will join Gov. Beshear on the trip, noted the importance of building on existing relationships to secure future wins for Kentucky:
“We are fortunate to have a strong and diverse group of international companies here in Kentucky, and this is a great chance to build on that foundation and further those relationships to bring even more great jobs to our state," he said. "I look forward to joining the Governor on this critical mission, and I’m excited to see what new opportunities arise following these discussions with innovative and growth-minded companies.”
