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Governor Jim Pillen and Delegates Strengthen Ties During Trade Mission to Czech Republic and Germany
LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen led a delegation of key representatives from Nebraska’s agency sectors, agriculture, manufacturing, military, and higher education on a fruitful trade mission to the Czech Republic and Germany. These nations represent strong, positive economic connections with Nebraska.
The final days in Germany comprised pivotal meetings with major corporations such as Bayer and Evonik, both of which have significant operations in Nebraska. The group was also involved in a networking reception with Albers Beef, renowned for its premium-quality beef sourced from Omaha, showcasing Nebraska’s agricultural excellence.
“They have been buying Nebraska beef for over 20 years and they can’t talk enough about the quality,” stated Gov. Pillen with pride. “We’ve had an incredibly high-value trip and we’ve cultivated relationships with exceptional individuals, which will facilitate further business opportunities.”
Jim Ramm, a dedicated cow-calf producer from Holt County and a board member on the Nebraska Beef Council, expressed his enthusiasm regarding the warm reception the Nebraskan group received in Germany. He noted a keen interest from German counterparts in learning about Nebraska’s animal husbandry practices. Ramm eagerly anticipates reciprocating the hospitality.
“They want to come to America and come to Nebraska to observe our practices. If anyone from Burwell is listening, we’ll need to make some room because a large contingent from Germany will be attending the rodeo,” he added, highlighting the growing connections.
During the mission, Gov. Pillen, alongside K.C. Belitz, Director of the Department of Economic Development (DED), and Sherry Vinton, Director of the Department of Agriculture (NDA), had an important meeting with Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia. This populous region in Germany is known for its key sectors including automotive, chemical, energy, nanotech, and healthcare.
Director Belitz remarked upon the notable similarities between the Nebraska manufacturers and their German counterparts, many of which remain family-owned enterprises. “There are a lot of similarities in how we see the world and how their values match with ours,” he observed. “That’s part of why having German companies in Nebraska is such a good fit.”
Director Vinton emphasized the mission’s dual objectives: gaining insight into Germany’s rigorous standards for quality production while sharing Nebraska’s own established standards. “We’re here to learn about German standards and the high quality they have. We are also showcasing our standards in Nebraska as we look forward to pursuing partnerships to ensure the highest quality and safest food products for consumers globally,” she stated with optimism.
The trade mission commenced with a significant roundtable discussion with the Czech Ministry of Agriculture, focusing on collaborative efforts to detect and mitigate animal diseases. The signing of an agreement to share information and best practices underscored the importance of this initiative.
Czechia stands as a considerable producer of cattle, pigs, and dairy products. Kris Bousquet, executive director of the Nebraska State Dairy Association (NSDA), remarked on how important dairy production is in Europe. He noted that this trip was a golden opportunity to forge stronger ties with Czech leadership and the European Dairy Association.
“Reflecting on the trade mission, our accomplishments, and understanding the challenges European agriculturists encounter, it makes me grateful to live in Nebraska due to our unwavering support of agriculture,” Bousquet concluded, expressing deep appreciation for his home state.
One of Nebraska’s long-standing and distinguished collaborations is with the Czech Republic’s military. For over three decades, the Nebraska National Guard has partnered with the Czech Armed Forces under the Department of Defense National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program. This collaboration has fostered joint military exercises, mutual information-sharing, and dignitary visits that strengthen both nations’ military capabilities. During the trade mission, Gov. Pillen and members of the Nebraska National Guard met with Minister Jan Lipavský from the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“We talked about the evolution of that partnership and where we are heading in the future,” said Colonel John D. Williams, Director of Joint Staff for the Nebraska National Guard. “What we’ve primarily worked on over the past 30 years is building interoperability and enhancing our conflict resolution capabilities. The Czech military stands out as one of our strongest allies.”
While in Germany, Gov. Pillen and his delegation participated in EuroTier 2024. Gov. Pillen delivered the keynote address at the Cattle & Pig Event and returned the following day for an exhibitor event featuring Nebraska’s agricultural innovations. EuroTier is dedicated to advancing technical and scientific developments in the food and agriculture sectors, attracting thousands of exhibitors from over 50 countries each year.
“It’s clear that we make the best products, we have the best agriculture, and we boast unmatched innovation and entrepreneurship in the world,” summarized Gov. Pillen. “We must continue to cultivate these valuable relationships to ensure our access to international markets. Our vision is to undertake the necessary steps toward increasing value-added agriculture across Nebraska.”
Gov. Pillen delivers keynote at Cattle & Pig Event
Gov. Pillen answers audience questions at Cattle & Pig Event
Gov. Pillen presents certificate of appreciation to Albers Foods
Gov. Pillen and Hendrik Wüst, the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia
Gov. Pillen tours Evonik lab in Essen, Germany
What were the key sectors highlighted during Governor Pillen’s trade mission to the Czech Republic and Germany?
**Interview with Governor Jim Pillen on the Recent Trade Mission to the Czech Republic and Germany**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Governor Pillen. Can you tell us what motivated this recent trade mission to the Czech Republic and Germany?
**Governor Pillen:** Thank you for having me. The primary motivation behind this mission was to strengthen economic ties and explore business opportunities for Nebraska’s key sectors: agriculture, manufacturing, military, and higher education. Both the Czech Republic and Germany present significant markets for our products and services, and it was crucial to engage directly with potential partners.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned meetings with major corporations like Bayer and Evonik. What were some key takeaways from these discussions?
**Governor Pillen:** Meeting with those corporations was incredibly fruitful. We discussed existing operations they have in Nebraska and explored expansion possibilities. The commitment to high-quality standards on both sides was a major theme. Our discussions emphasized how we can work together to create more jobs and enhance our economic footprint.
**Interviewer:** There seems to be a strong interest in Nebraska’s agricultural practices. Could you elaborate on that, especially regarding the interest from German counterparts?
**Governor Pillen:** Absolutely. Our agricultural sector is a cornerstone of Nebraska’s economy, and it’s something we take immense pride in. Jim Ramm, a member of our delegation and a cow-calf producer, highlighted the long-standing relationship we have with Germany regarding beef. Their interest in learning about our animal husbandry practices was exciting, as it opens up pathways for knowledge exchange and collaboration that can benefit both our farming communities.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like there’s a real enthusiasm for cross-cultural exchanges. How do you see this impacting Nebraska in the long run?
**Governor Pillen:** The potential impact is enormous. By nurturing these international relationships, we can attract investment and bolster our export markets. We’re paving the way for future visits from our German partners to Nebraska, and vice versa. These exchanges strengthen not only our economy but also our cultural connections, enriching both regions.
**Interviewer:** Can you share more about the educational and military collaboration aspect discussed on this trip?
**Governor Pillen:** The educational exchange is significant, as we shared insights on agricultural practices as well as research and innovation in manufacturing. Regarding military collaboration, our longstanding partnership with the Czech Armed Forces continues to grow, with joint exercises and information sharing that enhance both our capabilities. This collaboration fosters a strong bond between our nations and enhances mutual security.
**Interviewer:** what’s next for Nebraska following this mission?
**Governor Pillen:** We’re committed to following up on the relationships established during this trip. We will work on implementing the agreements signed, particularly in agriculture and mutual standards of quality. There’s a concerted effort to ensure that the momentum we’ve gained continues to develop into tangible benefits for Nebraskans in the near future.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Governor Pillen, for sharing these insights. It sounds like a productive mission that has paved the way for Nebraska’s future growth.
**Governor Pillen:** Thank you! I’m excited about the prospects that lie ahead for our great state.
