Doyle and his wife Jessica served as Peace Corps volunteers in Tunisia in 1967. An aide said Doyle has had a standing invitation for years to visit leaders of the northern African nation, which lies to the south of Italy across the Mediterranean Sea. "These are both tremendous opportunities for businesses in Wisconsin," Doyle spokesman Adam Collins said.
Gov. Jim Doyle left Wednesday on a 10-day trade mission to Italy and then Tunisia - a country where he once served as a Peace Corps volunteer
Doyle leaves on trade mission to Italy, Tunisia
Posted: March 17, 2010 |(9) Comments
Madison - Gov. Jim Doyle left Wednesday on a 10-day trade mission to Italy and then Tunisia - a country where he once served as a Peace Corps volunteer.
The trip includes meetings with executives of Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani, the international ship builder that owns Marinette Marine and Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay. Fincantieri and Marinette Marine are seeking a major U.S. Navy contract, expected to be announced this summer, to build 10 Littoral Combat Ships - relatively small, agile vessels that perform well close to shore.
The Democratic governor will also meet with Sergio Marchionne, chief executive officer of Fiat S.p.A and Chrysler Group LLC.
Wisconsin companies exported more than $293 million in products to Italy last year and $8.8 million to Tunisia.
Doyle and his wife Jessica served as Peace Corps volunteers in Tunisia in 1967. An aide said Doyle has had a standing invitation for years to visit leaders of the northern African nation, which lies to the south of Italy across the Mediterranean Sea.
"These are both tremendous opportunities for businesses in Wisconsin," Doyle spokesman Adam Collins said.
Collins noted that two Spanish companies, Patentes Talgo and Ingeteam, recently announced plans to make trains and wind-turbine generators in Milwaukee.
Collins said Doyle would be accompanied by Susan Goodwin, his chief of staff; Tanya Bjork, the state's federal lobbyist; Zach Brandon, the executive assistant at the state Department of Commerce; and security personnel. Collins didn't have overall costs for the trip but said the state would pay for the Italian leg but the Tunisian government would cover hotel costs there.
UW-Madison professor Jon Pevehouse, who specializes in international trade and relations, said he believed the Tunisian leg of Doyle's trip made sense despite the country's relatively modest economic trade with Wisconsin.
"If I had a choice to send (Doyle) to 10 countries, Tunisia probably wouldn't make the list," Pevehouse said.
But he added that Doyle's past ties to the country and the trip to Italy helped build the case for a trip.
"You can't underestimate the political goodwill," Pevehouse said. "Business is built on relationships."
