Northam, state officials make European trade trip

Governor and delegation visit Spain, Belgium, Germany

Published November 9, 2021 by Robyn Sidersky

Before handing over the keys to the Executive Mansion to Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is skipping town for one last overseas business trip.

Northam is leading an international trade and marketing mission to Belgium, Spain and Germany this week with a delegation including Chief of Staff Clark Mercer, Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring and representatives from the Virginia Economic Development Partnership and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The delegation, which is scheduled to return Friday, will have more than 20 meetings, participate in two business roundtables and discuss Virginia’s advantages with leaders of international companies.

Northam last went on a similar trip in May to Germany, Greece and Switzerland. A July 2018 European trade trip made by Northam resulted in the September announcement that Italian cured meats manufacturer Veronesi Holding S.p.A., a Gruppo Veronesi company, will invest approximately $100 million to establish its first U.S. production facility in Rockingham County, creating an estimated 150 jobs over the next four years

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