Gov. Phil Murphy will lead a week-long economic mission next month to several Gulf Arab States, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

The delegation will comprise industry and governmental leaders. Participants also include First Lady Tammy Murphy, Choose New Jersey President and CEO Wesley Mathews, New Jersey Economic Development Authority CEO Tim Sullivan and others.

Running from April 25 to May 3, the trip marks the latest such economic mission during Murphy’s time in office. Previous excursions traveled to Germany, Israel, India, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Canada and the United Kingdom.

It also marks the first of several economic missions that Murphy plans to lead in his final year in office. Other trips slated for this year include Israel, India and Mexico.

Murphy says the Gulf Arab States mission will focus on stimulating cultural, economic and academic ties. Meanwhile, it also aims to cultivate partnerships and international opportunities for the state.

“I am looking forward to leading this economic mission in April,” said Murphy. “Strengthening New Jersey’s ties with our Gulf Arab partners and around the world helps us continue to build a strong innovation economy, attracting international businesses, and industry leaders to invest in our state.”

Key features and details of the Gulf Arab States trip include:

• Will promote New Jersey’s manufacturing, food & beverage, technology, financial services, life sciences, AI, film and technology sectors
• Choose New Jersey will organize business roundtables, government meetings, higher education interactions, U.S. embassy briefings and press engagements
• Murphy will meet with U.S. service members abroad, including U.S. military members from New Jersey at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. NSA Bahrain is home to the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. Fifth Fleet

Mathews said that this mission is an important opportunity to further strengthen the state’s global leadership in key industries.

“By deepening our partnerships in the Middle East, we are creating pathways for long-term investment, strategic partnerships, and collaboration for New Jersey,” he said.

“Under Gov. Murphy’s leadership, New Jersey has increased its connectivity around the world and its influence as an important economic leader on the global stage,” said Sullivan. “Economic mission trips like this strengthen international partnerships and help expand key industries, grow businesses, and create jobs in the state.”

“I am thrilled to follow up this trip with missions to three additional key partners of New Jersey,” Murphy added.