Blogging from the Middle East: Day 4

by: Governor Granholm

Wed Nov 19, 2008 at 16:04:53 PM EST

Wednesday began early for our team with a 7 a.m. flight to Amman, Jordan for the last leg of our 2008 Middle East jobs and investment mission.  As we flew into Queen Alia Airport, the dramatic change in terrain became clear.  Where Israel is lush and green sitting right on the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, Jordan is desert.  Amman, the ancient capital of the Hashemite Kingdom, has sandstone architecture, olive and banana trees, but none of the trees and greenery that Americans are used to.  It is a truly beautiful and historic place.

After a briefing at the U.S. Embassy on Jordan and U.S. relations, we were off for meetings with Catalyst Private Equity, a venture capital firm, and Millenium Energy Industries, an alternative energy company that is doing cutting edge work with solar energy. The projects they have underway include a local chocolate factory that is powered by solar energy, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and a Jordache Jeans factory -- the Millenium executives even had some delicious "solar chocolates" for us to taste from the factory.

Millenium Energy is looking to approach the U.S. market by putting some pilot projects in the states and also possibly expanding with a manufacturing site back home too - we made the case for why Michigan is the perfect gateway to North America. We made sure they knew about our great workforce, our world-class universities and our new energy package which makes it easier for alternative energy companies to anchor and create jobs in our state. The meeting was very promising and I look forward to a future partnership with the company.  

I was also honored to be welcomed by His Majesty King Abdullah II. The gracious Jordanian King invited us to the palace where we had the chance to discuss future partnerships between Michigan and Jordan in the areas of alternative energy and water-reuse technology.  His Majesty is truly committed to education, focused on a well-educated work force and a knowledge-based economy - like we are in Michigan and we talked of a possible university collaboration.

This afternoon we enjoyed a wonderful traditional meal with Dr. Haifa Fakhouri, President and CEO of the Arab American and Chaldean Council, with her family. The courses never stopped coming -- from the wonderful hummus, to falafel, lamb and fish, Spicy Red pepper dip and Garlic dip -- it was an unforgettable meal.

This has been a wonderful, encouraging week.  We have been welcomed by leaders and dignitaries, business leaders and entrepreneurs.  And we have seen the tremendous potential for partnerships and investment that will bring jobs to Michigan.  By the end of this week our team will have been in 3 countries, holding 48 meetings, talking with well over 130 companies.

While our team is continuing with their work here, I am ending my trip sooner than planned.  I am leaving Jordan tonight to be in Washington, D.C. tomorrow as Congress continues its discussions about critical help for our automakers.  The decisions they make will impact jobs and our economy, as well as our nation's ability to achieve energy independence and to ensure our national security.  I'm proud to be part of a great team, including Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow and Congressmen John Dingell and Sandy Levin, to fight for Michigan's families, Michigan's economy and Michigan's future.