Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp are visiting Germany from January 21 to January 25 for an economic development mission with Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner (GDEcD) Pat Wilson and staff.

"Marty and I are honored to travel to Germany - Georgia's fourth largest export market and home to our European office - to reaffirm our strategic partnership and strengthen business ties across multiple industry sectors," said Governor Kemp.

As part of the state’s strategic efforts to further strengthen economic ties, Georgia is relocating and expanding its Europe office, located in the Bavarian region of Germany. As one of their first stops, the Governor and First Lady celebrated with government and business leaders by cutting the ribbon on the office’s new location in Munich. Also during their trip, the delegation will visit with large and small German companies with a Georgia presence and meet with German manufacturers with operations in Georgia.

Germany is one of Georgia’s top three investment partners. More than 800 German facilities operate in Georgia. These German-affiliated companies employ more than 36,000 Georgians. Georgia’s European representatives focus on attracting European investment to the state and assisting Georgia companies with exporting to Europe.

In 2018, Georgia’s exports to Germany totaled $2.29 billion. Germany is currently the fourth largest export market for Georgia. Top exports from Georgia to Germany include civilian aircraft, engines and parts, motor vehicles, optical fibers, parts of airplanes or helicopters, and chemical wood pulp.

In 2018, Georgia’s imports from Germany totaled $9.8 billion. Germany ranks second among Georgia’s importer nations. Top imports from Germany include motor vehicles, medicaments, powered aircraft, turbojets, and motor vehicle parts and accessories.

There are currently at least sixty Georgia companies with facilities in Germany, including AGCO Corporation, Crawford & Company, Delta Air Lines, Exide Technologies, Georgia-Pacific, Invesco, King & Spalding LLP, NCR Corporation, The Coca-Cola Company, Turner Broadcasting System, and UPS.

About 107,800 Germans visited Georgia in 2018 and spent more than $181.1 million, making it a top volume tourism market for the state.

“Georgia’s official presence in Europe for more than 45 years has led to investments from some of Germany’s largest corporations, and these strategic investments have paid off. Today, our state is home to more than 800 German companies,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “We are grateful to have Governor and First Lady Kemp joining us to open our new, expanded office in the Bavarian region and to deepen our mutual commitment with economic development partners and industries so we can continue to build on this foundation for an even stronger future.”