Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp will lead a state delegation to Brazil and Argentina this week to promote economic development opportunities for Georgia. The mission will include Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, representatives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), and members of the Georgia Ports Authority. The group aims to strengthen business ties and support Georgia’s agricultural sector.
During their visit, the delegation will meet with firms that have existing or planned operations in Georgia, participate in diplomatic meetings, and mark the 30th anniversary of Georgia’s economic office in Brazil. General Richard “Dwayne” Wilson will join the group in Argentina for meetings with the Georgia National Guard and Argentinian counterparts as part of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program.
“Companies from South America have invested over $160 million in Georgia over the last six years, with the bulk of investments and jobs coming from countries where Georgia is represented,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Since I took office, businesses that operate in Brazil have created over a thousand jobs for Georgians, with many investments strengthening established sectors like our No. 1 industry of agriculture. We’re always eager to grow those pipelines of opportunity so more Georgians in all parts of the state can benefit. Likewise, we look forward to thanking the brave men and women of the Georgia Guard and their partners in Argentina who are supporting our shared security goals.”
The trip includes stops at companies such as JBS—whose subsidiary Pilgrim’s supports an estimated 9,000 jobs across Georgia—and Taurus, which relocated its U.S. headquarters to Bainbridge in 2019, bringing more than 350 jobs. Other companies on the itinerary include CSN (Brazilian National Steel Company), Embraer Aircraft Maintenance Services (EAMS) at Middle Georgia Regional Airport, GranBio’s U.S. biorefinery operations in Thomaston through AVAPCO LLC, AGCO (a global agricultural machinery producer headquartered in Georgia), Guidoni Group’s facility in McRae, and BERSA’s production facility in Cartersville.
“I’m proud to join Governor Kemp, Commissioner Wilson, and other state leaders on this important trade mission to South America, and I look forward to working with our partners in Brazil and Argentina to continue to build upon our already strong relationship,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “The success of Georgia’s #1 industry depends on our farmers’ ability to get their goods to market, and leveraging Georgia’s port system and reducing trade barriers with countries around the globe are vital components of ensuring the continued success of Georgia agriculture and our state as a whole.”
Georgia has maintained continuous representation in Brazil since 1995; both Brazil and Argentina first established consular presences in Georgia back in 1899. In 2024 alone, exports from Georgia reached $748 million to Brazil and $120 million to Argentina.
“This year is the 30th anniversary of Georgia’s representation in Brazil, an incredible milestone for one of the state’s top 20 trade partners and proof of Georgia’s lasting partnerships in international markets,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Through our ports and collaborations such as the Delta Air Lines-LATAM partnership, Georgia’s connectivity to South America means opportunity. Brazil and Argentina are home to some of the largest agriculture and infrastructure companies in South America, aligning with Georgia’s strong agribusiness and food and beverage industries as well as the state’s continued growth and investments in infrastructure development.”
