East Asia trade mission this week to highlight S.D. biotech, food, defense exports

A South Dakota delegation led by Lt. Gov. Larry Rhoden this week will visit Japan and Taiwan in an effort to strengthen trade in key sectors, including biotech.

Six companies, three industry associations and leadership from SDSU are part of the trip, coordinated with South Dakota Biotech and South Dakota Trade.

Participants will have the opportunity to conduct business-to-business matchmaking meetings and showcase their products at one of five concurrently held trade shows in Taipei:

Bio/Pharmatech Taipei.
Food Taipei.
Foodtech Taipei.
Taipei Pack, the Taipei International Packaging Show.
Taiwan Horcea, the Taiwan International Hotel, Restaurant and Catering Show.

“Our delegation represents some of our state’s most promising industries,” Rhoden said. “We have great biotechnology, food and manufacturing opportunities all happening right here in South Dakota. Japan and Taiwan are two important markets for these products and also key allies of the United States.”

It’s a strong opportunity to explore partnerships, said Joni Ekstrum, executive director of South Dakota Biotech and a member of the trade mission delegation.

“We’re excited to be going into several governmental meetings with the lieutenant governor, promoting South Dakota as a great place to do business,” she said.

“I think we’re very aligned as a biotech industry with our equivalent associations in this part of Asia, so I’m excited to learn more about them to explore the synergies we may have in South Dakota. South Dakota Trade did an amazing job setting the itinerary and filling it with valuable meetings.”

The full delegation includes:

  • Hunter Roberts, secretary, Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources.
  • Jesse Fonkert, deputy commissioner, Governor’s Office of Economic Development.
  • Joe Cassady, South Dakota Corn endowed dean, SDSU College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Sciences.
  • Joni Ekstrum, executive director, South Dakota Biotech.
  • Jerry Schmitz, executive director, South Dakota Soybean.
  • Doug Ode, board  member, Midwest Dairy.
  • Tim Houghton, vice president, H-S Precision.
  • Gordon Ommen, founder  and principal, Black Fork Farms.
  • Joe Beck, executive director of corporate development, Viaflex.
  • Dennis Harstad, vice president of operations, Houdek.
  • Rob Hrabe, CEO, VRC Metal Systems.
  • Gentry Boswell, vice president business development, VRC Metal Systems.
  • Ron Rensberger, president, Rensberger Technologies.

“South Dakota makes the best products in the world, and I’m proud to say that our delegation comes from all across the state,” said Luke Lindberg, president and CEO of South Dakota Trade.

“It is our job to put willing buyers and willing sellers in the same room — that’s where the deals get done — and that’s what we’re planning to do.”

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