Utah Delegation Sets Out on Southeast Asia Tour

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) sees new opportunity for Utah businesses and entrepreneurs on the other side of the Pacific: this time, in Southeast Asia. Brett Heimburger, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development’s regional director for Asia, is leading a delegation looking to develop business partnerships and find new avenues into Indonesia and Thailand.

Indonesia is the globe’s fourth most populous country. The island nation’s population is booming, and so is business opportunity. On the heels of Indonesia’s credit upgrade and strong economic momentum in the region, the trade mission touches down in Jakarta, Indonesia with representatives from the State of Utah as well as leaders in business and education.

The GOED-led delegation features an array of prominent Utah industry sectors: security, nutraceuticals, medical devices and consumer electronics and goods.

In Indonesia, the team will meet with government officials to learn best practices and conduct business-to-business company matchmaking sessions utilizing the U.S. Commercial Service’s Gold Key Service, which locates potential business partners for trade mission companies. Additional exploratory opportunities will suggest potential new outlets for trade mission participant USANA Health Sciences and new destinations for Brigham Young University’s Kennedy Center study abroad program.

“Like Utah, Indonesia has well-diversified economy supported by abundant natural resources, and their growing population presents a wealth of business partnership opportunity. Similarly, Thailand has a surging economy and excellent infrastructure,” said Heimburger. “GOED is pleased to work closely with some of Utah’s incredibly entrepreneurial business people eager to take their products to this exciting region.”

A smaller delegation will continue on to Thailand where the economy is expected to grow 5 percent this year. Following Gold Key Service meetings with pre-screened agents and distributors, select companies will meet with Thailand sector specialists to discuss additional joint-venture or Utah opportunities.

The delegation will also host a Utah Tourism Reception in Jakarta to promote Utah’s quality-of-life message and encourage tour operations to include Utah destinations in their travel packages.