Gov. Whitmer Promotes Michigan’s Aerospace, Defense Opportunities in Historic Investment Mission to the United Arab Emirates

Governor to meet with Michigan service members at U.S. Naval Forces Central Command in Bahrain

LANSING, Mich. – Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer kicks off a historic investment mission to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain to strengthen Michigan’s economic ties in the region, boost job creation, meeting with women leaders for a roundtable discussion to highlight issues facing women leaders globally, and showcase the state’s leadership in the defense and aerospace industries. This mission marks the first time a Michigan governor has traveled to the region. 

“Michigan is an international leader in defense and aerospace, and this mission builds on our work to grow these key industries and bring jobs and investments back home,” said Governor Whitmer. “By engaging with global partners in the UAE and Bahrain, we will highlight the strength of Michigan’s advanced manufacturing, engineering expertise, and cutting-edge research that drive innovation in defense and security, while showcasing why the international community should continue to expand and ‘Make It’ in Michigan.”   

“Investment missions like this are critical for relationship building to enhance Michigan’s ability to compete and win job and business creating opportunities on the global stage,” said Quentin L. Messer Jr., Michigan Economic Development Corporation. “Michigan is one of America’s most international states with North American’s most active trade corridor.  Through our ‘Make It in Michigan’ economic development strategy, Team Michigan is focused on making our state the best place for businesses and their employees. We’re grateful to the partners joining us on this mission to create opportunities for our friends and neighbors across both peninsulas. By forging new international partnerships and attracting high-value investments, we will create more high-quality jobs, entrepreneurial companies and expand our tax base to benefit all Michiganders.”   

“Oakland County’s economy is enhanced by foreign investment, “said Dave Coulter, Oakland County Executive. “We have more than 800 foreign-owned companies from 38 countries in our county.   Attracting businesses to locate or expand their U.S. operations in our region and county continues to be a top goal of my administration.  I appreciate this opportunity to join the Governor to continue to advance that goal.”    

“Wayne County is home to the largest Middle Eastern and North African communities in the United States,” said Warren C. Evans, Wayne County Executive. “Our diverse community is home to Lebanese, Iraqis, Yemenis, Egyptians, Iranians, Jordanians, Chaldeans, Moroccans, Palestinians, Saudis and Syrians. It only makes sense that we would seek to strengthen our economic as well as our cultural ties with the United Arab Emirates, and I look forward to working together with Gov. Whitmer on this very important trip.”    

“ODAI’s mission is to drive growth within the state’s defense and aerospace sectors while advancing defense research and development opportunities,” said Colonel John Gutierrez, Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI). “We’re committed to ensuring Michigan remains at the forefront of defense and aerospace leadership. Through this mission, we aim to strengthen global partnerships, attract critical investments, and showcase the unparalleled expertise and capabilities that Michigan offers to the defense and aerospace industries.”  

“I am honored to join Governor Whitmer, MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr., ODAI Executive Director John Gutierrez, and the Team Michigan delegation as we meet with leaders from government agencies, armed forces and the defense industry across the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, Adjutant General and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “With multiple defense-focused capabilities and partnerships available through the Michigan National Guard, including the National All-Domain Warfighting Center and the Kelly Johnson Joint All-Domain Innovation Center, we look forward to showcasing Michigan’s unique geography, airspace, ranges and investments in defense innovation and technology.”   

 

Defense and Aerospace Leadership at International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 

The delegation will attend the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s premier defense and security trade shows. Michigan, home to a robust defense sector and a hub of aerospace innovation, is poised to continue expanding its global footprint by fostering new partnerships and attracting investment from international stakeholders.   

Michigan companies exhibiting at IDEX include Bliss Munitions Equipment, Cobra Aero, CT Group, LLC, MCM Learning, Inc., Oasis Advanced Engineering, Inc., Singh Automation, Virtual Sandtable, and VS Aviation. Michigan’s leading export program supports these types of investment missions for small businesses to attend trade shows such as IDEX, and holds the award for U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) funding. Michigan has historically led the nationwide STEP grant program in results of facilitated export sales and maintains #1 status with a reported return on investment of 328:1 during STEP program history.   

Michigan’s defense and aerospace sectors generate $30 billion in economic activity and support over 166,000 jobs. The state is home to nearly 4,000 businesses serving the defense, aerospace, and homeland security industries, and boasts a highly skilled workforce, with nearly 123,000 engineers and a skilled trades workforce exceeding 277,000 individuals.  

Supporting Michigan’s leadership in these industries is the Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation (ODAI), which plays a crucial role in driving investment, fostering partnerships, and advancing technological capabilities in the state’s defense and aerospace sectors. Led by Col. John Gutierrez, USMC (Ret.), the office works to position Michigan as a premier destination for defense contractors and aerospace firms looking to leverage the state’s cutting-edge research and development ecosystem. 

 

Women’s Roundtable 

As part of her visit, the governor will participate in a women’s roundtable to discuss the status of women’s leadership in the U.S. and Middle East, and how we work together to advance opportunities for women to become leaders in our two regions. 

 

Members of Michigan’s Delegation  

Joining the governor will be Major General Paul D. Rogers, Adjutant General of the Michigan National Guard and Director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs; MEDC CEO Quentin L. Messer, Jr., Chief Innovation Officer Ben Marchionna, ODAI Executive Director Col. John Gutierrez, and other MEDC officials; and local partners including Oakland County Executive David Coulter, Oakland County Chief Information Officer Rod Davenport, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, Wayne County Deputy County Executive Assad Turfe, Associate Vice President for Research – Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact at the University of Michigan Dr. Kelly Sexton, Founder & Chairman of The Arab American News Osama Siblani, Founder & Chairman of the Arab American Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trustees Ahmad Chebbani, Miller Johnson Managing Member Fadwa Hammoud, Harbor Light Advisors Partner Will Foss, Henry Ford Health Vice President and Michigan Economic Development Foundation member Marc Corriveau, Executive Director of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce and CEO of Tejara Bilal Hammoud.    

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.