Interview with Mr. Mike Parson, Governor of Missouri, to Ms. Vicky Makrigianni, Director of International Relations & Regional Policy, SEV

Makrigianni: Dear Governor, Greece is currently trying to intensify its bilateral relations and broaden its trade opportunities. Do you believe there are opportunities for the Greek companies in the USA and more particularly at the State of Missouri? If so, in which sectors?

Governor: The State of Missouri provides significant opportunities for companies wanting to grow and expand the reach of their business. In Missouri, we have robust defense, ag-tech, and manufacturing industries, among others. Out of all 50 states in the USA, Missouri is 4th for new manufacturing facilities, 7th for tech manufacturing growth, 10th for our automobile industry, and 10th for our aerospace industry. Our many sector strengths, lend business opportunities for Greek companies to find success among these various supply chains and in our state. Missouri is a low-cost, low-tax state that offers a strategic logistical advantage in the center of the U.S. Companies that choose Missouri are supported by a skilled and capable workforce ready to go to work. Companies that choose Missouri choose success.

Makrigianni: Do you see investment opportunities with mutual interest? And if so, in which sectors?

Governor: Our expansive and growing defense industry offers such an opportunity. For example, Boeing, with its Defense, Space and Security manufacturing facility in St. Louis, Missouri, is the country’s second largest defense contractor. Its primary activity is aerospace manufacturing, but it also participates in aircraft parts manufacturing, ammunition manufacturing, and engineering services. The result is a growing number of companies within the sector or supporting sectors moving to our state to seize on the opportunity to grow their business and contribute to this supply chain.

Another great example is our AgTech and wider Food Solutions sector. Missouri’s robust food solutions industry includes nearly 400 companies and almost 100,000 farms, with the capacity for many more. This is all due to Missouri’s leading role in agricultural commodities such as rice, soybeans, corn, sorghum, cattle, turkeys, and hogs. Our diverse and thriving agriculture industry provides significant opportunity for Greek companies involved in the expansive value- added supply chain of agriculture.

Makrigianni: Are there any specificities (tax-oriented etc.) that should be taken into consideration by a Greek company potentially doing business in the USA?

Governor: As previously mentioned, Missouri is one of the most business friendly states in the U.S. We have low taxes, a low cost-of-living, and significant resources to help company’s skill up their workforce. We offer partnership in job training through our Missouri One Start and Missouri Works programs and enthusiastically support apprenticeship and on-the-job-training opportunities. Due to these efforts, we are 1st in the U.S. for on-the-job-training and 3rd for apprenticeships. These are just a few examples of what our state does to help companies succeed, and they’re resources that don’t come at high tax cost to companies or workers. Missouri ranks 3rd in the U.S. for our corporate tax index. We also recently cut income taxes for Missouri taxpayers, which means more money back in the pockets of Missourians, and prospective employees, to spend, invest, and save. In Missouri, a company finds low costs, a skilled workforce, and ample business opportunities – providing a proven model for success. Missouri is called the Show-Me State for a reason, you show us partnership and we’ll show you success.

V. Makrigianni: Thank you Governor for this fruitful and interesting interview.