NEWS RELEASE
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
*************************
LANSING, Mich. – Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer kicks off a historic investment mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain to strengthen Michigan’s economic ties in the region, boost job creation, meeting with women leaders for a roundtable discussion to highlight issues facing women leaders globally, and showcase the state’s leadership in the defense and aerospace industries. This mission marks the first time a Michigan governor has traveled to the region.
“Michigan is an international leader in defense and aerospace, and this mission builds on our work to grow these key industries and bring jobs and investments back home,” said Whitmer. “By engaging with global partners in the UAE and Bahrain, we will highlight the strength of Michigan’s advanced manufacturing, engineering expertise, and cutting-edge research that drive innovation in defense and security, while showcasing why the international community should continue to expand and ‘Make It’ in Michigan.”
Joining the governor will be Major General Paul D. Rogers, Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr., Chief Innovation Officer Ben Marchionna, ODAI Executive Director Col. John Gutierrez, and other MEDC officials; and local partners including Oakland County Executive David Coulter, Oakland County Chief Information Officer Rod Davenport, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, Wayne County Deputy County Executive Assad Turfe, Associate Vice President for Research – Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact at the University of Michigan Dr. Kelly Sexton, Founder & Chairman of The Arab American News Osama Siblani, Founder & Chairman of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trustees Ahmad Chebbani, Miller Johnson Managing Member Fadwa Hammoud, Harbor Light Advisors Partner Will Foss, Henry Ford Health Vice President and Michigan Economic Development Foundation member Marc Corriveau, Executive Director of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Tejara Bilal Hammoud.
“Investment missions like this are critical for relationship building to enhance Michigan’s ability to compete and win job and business creating opportunities on the global stage,” said Messer. “Michigan is one of America’s most international states with North American’s most active trade corridor. Through our ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy, Team Michigan is focused on making our state the best place for businesses and their employees. We’re grateful to the partners joining us on this mission to create opportunities for our friends and neighbors across both peninsulas. By forging new international partnerships and attracting high-value investments, we will create more high-quality jobs, entrepreneurial companies and expand our tax base to benefit all Michiganders.”
“Oakland County’s economy is enhanced by foreign investment, “ said Coulter. “We have more than 800 foreign-owned companies from 38 countries in our county. Attracting businesses to locate or expand their U.S. operations in our region and county continues to be a top goal of my administration. I appreciate this opportunity to join the governor to continue to advance that goal.”
The delegation will attend the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s premier defense and security trade shows. Michigan, home to a robust defense sector and a hub of aerospace innovation, is poised to continue expanding its global footprint by fostering new partnerships and attracting investment from international stakeholders.
Michigan companies exhibiting at IDEX include Bliss Munitions Equipment, Cobra Aero, CT Group, LLC, MCM Learning, Inc., Oasis Advanced Engineering, Inc., Singh Automation, Virtual Sandtable, and VS Aviation. Michigan’s leading export program supports these types of investment missions for small businesses to attend trade shows such as IDEX, and holds the award for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) funding. Michigan has historically led the nationwide STEP grant program in results of facilitated export sales and maintains #1 status with a reported return on investment of 328:1 during STEP program history.
Michigan’s defense and aerospace sectors generate $30 billion in economic activity and support over 166,000 jobs. The state is home to nearly 4,000 businesses serving the defense, aerospace, and homeland security industries, and boasts a highly skilled workforce, with nearly 123,000 engineers and a skilled trades workforce exceeding 277,000 individuals.
Supporting Michigan’s leadership in these industries is the Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI), which plays a crucial role in driving investment, fostering partnerships, and advancing technological capabilities in the state’s defense and aerospace sectors. Led by Col. John Gutierrez, USMC (Ret.), the office works to position Michigan as a premier destination for defense contractors and aerospace firms looking to leverage the state’s cutting-edge research and development ecosystem.
The investment mission aligns with Michigan’s broader economic strategy to attract foreign direct investment, create high-quality jobs, and position the state as a premier destination for innovation and growth. In the fall, the governor led an investment mission to Spain, meeting with business leaders and foreign officials to continue the work to bring supply chains home. Also in 2024, the governor led a mission to South Korea and Taiwan, announcing investment projects across Michigan and the state’s first Taiwan office.
Last year, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II led an investment mission to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, further highlighting Michigan’s leadership in the aerospace and defense sector while attending the Farnborough Air Show and meeting with industry and government leaders.
This economic development mission is supported by the MEDC and the Michigan Economic Development Foundation, an independent, not-for-profit organization that serves to help promote and fund economic development efforts in Michigan that create private investments and increase jobs and wages.
*************************
