Haslam, Boyd to travel to Asia seeking auto sector jobs

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, second from left, talks with reporters after an announcement Wednesday, April 27, 2016, in Spring Hill, Tenn., that General Motors will invest $790 million at its plant in Spring Hill and another $118 million in Bay City, Mich. The company said it will create nearly 800 jobs at the plant south of Nashville as part of the new high-efficiency engine program at the factory. With Haslam are Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd, left; United Auto Workers local chairman Mike Herron, second from right; and UAW regional director Ray Curry, right. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, second from left, talks with reporters after an announcement Wednesday, April 27, 2016, in Spring Hill, Tenn., that General Motors will invest $790 million at its plant in Spring Hill and another $118 million in Bay City, Mich. The company said it will create nearly 800 jobs at the plant south of Nashville as part of the new high-efficiency engine program at the factory. With Haslam are Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd, left; United Auto Workers local chairman Mike Herron, second from right; and UAW regional director Ray Curry, right. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam and state Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd will travel to Asia on an economic development trip to increase foreign direct investment related to the auto, high-tech and advanced manufacturing sectors.

The 10-day business trip is scheduled from May 2 to May 11 and will include stops in Korea, China and Japan.

Haslam and Boyd will meet with executives of existing Tennessee businesses as well as work to expand relationships between Tennessee and Asian business communities.

"Last year alone, foreign direct investments totaled $2.25 billion in capital and created more than 7,800 new jobs. This is an excellent opportunity to take the 'Tennessee Story' abroad and promote all of the great things that our state has to offer," Haslam said in a statement. "We're a low-tax, low-debt, strategically located state that is the first in the nation to offer high school graduates last dollar scholarships to attend community or technical college free of tuition and fees. I look forward to building upon our existing business partnerships and forming new ones that can be mutually beneficial."

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