I was extremely honored to join a delegation of business, community and government leaders on the Governor’s trade mission to India at the end of April. I jointed the delegation led by Secretary of Commerce and Trade Pat Gottschalk and Secretary of Technology Aneesh Chopra. We sought out new investment opportunities for the Commonwealth and I sought to learn more about the challenges our state – and our nation – will face in this new 21st century economy.

In response to the Soviet Launch of Sputnik, the Kennedy Administration refocused on America’s most important priorities - investing in education, building a new generation of scientists and engineers, and launching our competitive space program to the Moon. The challenges we face this century are clearly not the same – but the resolve we’ll need to meet those challenges may well be greater.

There is no question in my mind now that if we don’t commit ourselves to preparing for this new global challenge – we will be left behind. As I visited India I felt as though I was absorbed into the pages of Thomas Friedman’s book The World is Flat. No longer do the barriers of oceans and mountains separate our countries. We are connected by a mere touch of a button. Internet service is readily available in the luxurious hotel lobbies of Bombay and the rural villages of southern India – all connected, all wired, and all ready to compete.

This trip was a continuation of Mark Warner’s first trip in 2005 – and the relationship building is paying off. We announced nearly $100 million of economic development funds, ranging from new restaurants to steel-making support. Virginia’s exports to India were valued at $80 million in 2005 and, as of September 2006, Indian companies had invested $49 million in Virginia.

For far too long, we’ve heard about good American jobs being exported overseas, resulting in struggling rural economies falling farther behind. I was particularly proud on this trip to help recruit and bring good, high-paying jobs back to Virginia.

We brought new investment. We announced a joint venture between Toshiba, Mitsubishi Electric and General Electric and Indian-based JSW Steel for $80 million. The automation system and complete electrical system engineering is being supplied by offices in Salem, Virginia.

We brought new jobs. Essel Propack, an India-based manufacturer of laminated and plastic tubes for the oral, cosmetic and healthcare industry, will invest $14 million to expand the capacity of the Essel Propack facility and create a state-of-the-art printing center to support both Essel Propack and its subsidiary, Arista Tubes, which is also located in Danville. The expansion will create about 35 new jobs.

We brought new research. Virginia Tech will partnership with research and development organizations in India and Corning Incorporated, a world leader in specialty glass and ceramics, in the development of clean, sustainable energy solutions.

I was very fortunate to participate in this trip and thankful to a group of Virginians who made the trip financially possible so my attendance did not come at taxpayer expense. As well, special thanks to the staff of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership for putting together the trip.

It was an invaluable learning experience and a great chance to work on brining good, high paying jobs to Virginia.