INDIANAPOLIS - Governor Eric J. Holcomb concluded an international economic development trip to the Middle East, following visits to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait focused on building Indiana’s global engagement and fostering opportunities to grow defense partnerships and high-growth industries.

On Monday, Governor Holcomb and Major General Lyles announced a new partnership between the Indiana National Guard and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the U.S. Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program, which pairs American states and foreign nations to enhance mutual relationships and promote defense and security cooperation objectives established by the United States and its partners. They had productive meetings with the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Defense to begin strategizing their partnership. 

In Ridayh, Gov. Holcomb met with senior Saudi Arabia government officials, including Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Minister of Investment Khalid Al Falih, Dr. Hisham Aljadhey, CEO of the Saudi Food and Drug Administration, Saudi Vice Minister of Sport H.E. Bader Alkadi, and representatives of the Saudi Research Development and Innovation Authority to discuss opportunities to further collaboration between Indiana and Saudi Arabia across defense and global stability, innovation and R&D, as well as key sectors like life science, energy, sports innovation and technology

The governor met U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney and attended a reception hosted by the U.S. Embassy Riyadh to advance collaborations, networking with more than 100 representatives of Indiana-, U.S.- and Saudi-based companies as well as alumni of Indiana University and Purdue University living in Saudi Arabia. Amb. Ratney highlighted opportunities for Indiana and Saudi Arabia to work together to advance key sectors, such as life sciences, biotechnology and defense.

The governor and the delegation also visited the Riyadh Zimmer Biomet facility to meet with leadership and learn more about the Indiana company’s innovation happening across the world. Thanks to companies like Zimmer Biomet, Indiana’s life sciences ecosystem continues to thrive, ranking No. 1 in the U.S. for pharmaceutical exports and No. 2 in the U.S. for life sciences exports while contributing $95 billion to the state’s economy in 2023 according to BioCrossroads.

Gov. Holcomb and Maj. Gen. Lyles visited with Indiana National Guard troops serving in Kuwait, a U.S. Army installation built and funded by the government of Kuwait. The governor and general received a briefing on the mission and shared a meal with the soldiers ahead of the holiday season. 

Also in Kuwait, the governor and delegation participated in a business roundtable with representatives from keysectors and industries including education, advanced manufacturing, defense, healthcare and energy. US Ambassador to Kuwait Karen Hideko Sasahara met with the governor and delegation at the embassy prior to the roundtable to brief the group.

This marks the governor’s 27th and final international economic development trip as governor, as well as his first trips to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The cost of the governor’s travel is being paid through private donations to the Indiana Economic Development Foundation.