Gov. Holcomb to foster deeper global partnerships in Slovakia, Italy

INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Eric J. Holcomb will depart on an international trip to Slovakia and Italy this week to further Indiana's international relationships, cultivating defense and economic development opportunities in Europe.

"Indiana and Slovakia have a three-decade-long partnership that has only strengthened over the last mission driven eight years," Gov. Holcomb said. "I look forward to building upon our shared priorities in defense and honoring the sacred anniversary of when the Slovaks regained their freedom. As we travel on to Italy, we will likewise build upon Indiana's front-row seat in the growth and innovation in the future of motorsports and life sciences."

SLOVAKIA

Gov. Holcomb will travel to Slovakia tomorrow, Aug. 27, with Indiana Adjutant General Major General Dale Lyles to meet with Slovak government leaders and to commemorate the 80^thanniversary of the 1944 Slovak National Uprising during World War II. The governor and adjutant general will attend the anniversary ceremonies in Banska Bystrica and participate in a wreath laying ceremony. They will also visit with Hoosier soldiers and airmen representing the U.S. and Indiana in Slovakia.

"The Indiana National Guard and Slovak Republic's purposeful and productive military partnership is three decades strong," said Maj. Gen. Dale Lyles, the adjutant general of the Indiana National Guard. "Commemorating the 80th anniversary of one of Slovakia's proudest moments alongside Gov. Holcomb is meaningful to the Hoosier soldiers and airmen representing our nation and state in Slovakia and demonstrates the enduring bond Indiana and Slovakia share."

This marks Gov. Holcomb's third visit to Slovakia, following economic development- and defense-focused trips in 2018 and 2022. The U.S. and Slovakia are NATO allies, and the Indiana National Guard shares a strong 30-year partnership with Slovakia through joint military trainings and security cooperation. In July 2024, the Indiana National Guard delivered F-16 fighter aircraft purchased by Slovakia.

Indiana and Slovakia also share a growing trade relationship, exchanging more than $1.14 million worth of goods between the two regions in 2023. Slovakia also hosts business facilities of three Hoosier companies: Berry Global Group, Eli Lilly & Company and Green Cubes Technology.

ITALY

On Saturday, Aug. 31, Gov. Holcomb will travel from Slovakia to Italy, joining representatives of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) to foster business, entrepreneurship and motorsports partnerships between Indiana and Lombardy, Italy.

In Milan, the delegation will attend the 2024 Formula 1 Pirelli Gran Premio d'Italia race at the Autodromo Nationale Monza on Sep. 1, furthering opportunities to grow Indiana's global racing leadership. Gov. Holcomb will meet with industry leaders, including representatives of Arrow McLaren Racing, Prema Racing and Sparco.

Following the events focused on racing, the governor will meet with government officials, including U.S. Consul General to Milan Douglass Benning and Lombardy Region President Attilio Fontana, to discuss Indiana's strong ties with Italy's Lombardy region, which is known for its strengths in the automotive sector. The governor and the delegation will also meet with Lombardy region industry partners at a roundtable discussion hosted by President Fontana and travel to the headquarters of Dallara, which is the exclusive designer and manufacturer of chassis for the Verizon IndyCar Series and operates its only facility outside Italy in Speedway, Indiana, to view its on-site manufacturing and learn about its Dallara Academy, an educational and display center dedicated to innovation and talent development.

This will be the Governor's second trip to Italy, following an automotive and motorsports economic development trip in 2018. Indiana is home to 35 Italian business facilities, which are largely focused on racing and the mobility supply chain, including companies like Dallara, Sirmax, Coram USA and OMR Automotive. Indiana and Italy also share a strong trade partnership, importing and exporting more than $5.16 billion worth of goods in 2023, with top products including chemicals, machinery, metals, transportation equipment and computer and electronic parts.

Indiana is home to more than 1,090 foreign-owned business establishments, representing more than 40 countries and territories. In 2023, foreign-owned companies committed to investing $20.49 billion to locate or expand operations in Indiana - a 182% increase from 2022 and 71% of the IEDC's total committed capital investment in 2023 - and create approximately 8,500 new Hoosier jobs.

This marks Gov. Holcomb's 25th international economic development trip as governor and his third and second trips to Slovakia and Italy, respectively. The cost of the governor's travel is being paid through private donations to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation and the travel costs in Slovakia will be paid for by the Indiana National Guard.

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