Gov. Martin O'Malley said today that his office is planning a trade mission to India, an expedition that would be the governor's second international trip this year aimed at promoting Maryland businesses abroad.
O'Malley said the purpose of the trip would be "jobs" and said he hopes to go "before the year's end."
"We're working on it," O'Malley said. "As with the trip that we took to China, we promote the competitive strengths of Maryland. Life sciences, biotech, information technology, healing -- all of the things that are our strongest sectors."
The governor led a three-nation tour of Asia in June and was joined by nearly 70 officials for various parts of it. In addition to China, the itinerary included South Korea and Vietnam.
After returning, O'Malley estimated the trip netted $85 million in deals between Maryland and Asian companies, and additional contracts were in the works at the time. The cost to taxpayers for the 10-day mission was $164,000.
The governor did not give any other details about the upcoming India trip, stressing that it is still in the planning phases.
The India trip was mentioned during at an event at Montgomery College designed to promote a new link between the community college and Discovery Communications, a $20 billion media firm that produces popular shows like Animal Planet and MythBusters. The company is launching an advertising campaign aimed at persuading mid-career workers to enroll in community colleges.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan attended the event and calling himself "a cheerleader" for the ad campaign. "This is clearly a challenging time in our country with high unemployment," Duncan said.
He also estimated there are two million unfilled jobs in the country, with employers unable to find workers with the right skills. Duncan said the "skills gap" can be addressed through the country's network of community colleges, institutions that are nimble enough to make changes in their curriculum to provide the training for high-skills jobs like nursing.
