STATEHOUSE (April 28, 2023) – State Rep. David Abbott (R-Rome City) recently traveled to the United Kingdom with a delegation of Midwest state legislators to encourage more state-level collaboration with business leaders and government officials.
The weeklong trip was organized by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in partnership with the Council of State Governments Midwestern Office. Abbott was invited due to his work on the executive committee of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Legislative Caucus. The U.K. government covered all in-country costs associated with the trip and attendees were responsible for their airfare.
"This trip was productive and highly educational," Abbott said. "We met with numerous government officials and industry leaders to discuss what we can bring to the table as far as developing business and trade relations. Indiana is establishing a global reputation for advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies like electric vehicles and alternative energy. Continuing to strengthen our relationship will benefit their country and our state."
The program, hosted by the British Consulate-General of Chicago, consisted of several events and tours to share U.K. best practices in key Midwest policy spaces, such as sustainable agriculture, manufacturing and renewable energy transition. They also discussed expanding partnerships between Indiana and other Midwest states, and the U.K. This program was the first of its kind at the state level.
Abbott and the delegation visited several agencies including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Department for Business and Trade, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. They also met with members of the British-American Parliamentary Group Executive Committee to discuss arising needs in the U.K. since Brexit, which included strengthening trade relations with the U.S. and in particular the state of Indiana.
Along with meeting government officials in London, the delegation traveled to the countryside in Northern England to witness their renewable energy technology and local agricultural techniques.
Abbott said this trip expands upon Gov. Eric Holcomb's visit to the U.K. last year when he led a delegation to explore investment opportunities between the state of Indiana and the U.K. Abbott is now working with Indiana Secretary of Commerce Brad Chambers to host a delegation here to continue developing relationships between Indiana and the U.K.
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State Rep. David Abbott (R-Rome City) represents House District 18,
which includes portions of Elkhart, Kosciusko, Noble and Whitley counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: State Rep. David Abbott (R-Rome City) (right) meets with Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (left), a member of the House of Lords of Parliament, in the Palace of Westminster in London. Abbott recently traveled to the United Kingdom with a delegation of Midwest state legislators to strengthen state-level trade relations.
