Illinois State Senator Seth Lewis (R-Bartlett) recently led a bipartisan delegation from Illinois to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to strengthen relationships and advance opportunities for investment, tourism, and cultural and educational exchange between Illinois and the UAE. The group spent three days in Abu Dhabi and three days in Dubai.
The delegation included elected officials from both the Illinois Senate and House, representatives from the City of Chicago, and leadership from World Business Chicago. The trade mission was coordinated by the Illinois Association for Global Trade. No taxpayer funds were used to support Lewis’ participation in the trip.
Meetings with senior economic and business leaders in Abu Dhabi and Dubai focused on relationship-building and long-term collaboration, with a clear emphasis on attracting investment to Illinois and highlighting the state’s strategic advantages. Lewis personally outlined more than $20 billion in U.S. investment opportunities and discussed Illinois’ strengths in infrastructure, workforce readiness, logistics, tourism, and innovation.
“The UAE delegates are well aware of Illinois’ potential and its strategic opportunities,” Lewis said. “They were just waiting for someone to come over, start the conversation, and ask for the partnership.”
According to Lewis, the goal of the visit was straightforward: to introduce Illinois to leaders in the UAE and explain why Illinois is a great place to invest. Discussions also explored opportunities to expand tourism, foster cultural and educational exchanges, and create lasting partnerships that benefit communities across Illinois.
“I am committed to making Illinois a place where people want to live and not leave,” Lewis said. “That means working hard to seek and secure investment and opportunities for job growth, especially high-paying construction and other jobs for the people of Illinois.”
Senator Lewis emphasized the importance of collaboration between Chicago, the suburbs, and the rest of the state, noting that Illinois’ economic success depends on shared prosperity.
“I fully support a strong Chicago, and I have always believed that as Chicago’s economic success goes, so does the suburbs and the balance of the state,” Lewis said. “Illinois is strong because of what I call the Four L’s: Labor, with a highly educated workforce; Location/Logistics, as the crossroads of the Midwest with comprehensive rail, road, and airport infrastructure anchored by the City of Chicago; Land, with fertile farmland that supports food production and global markets, and Lake Michigan, with its abundant water resources. These strengths make Illinois uniquely competitive and ripe for investment.”
Lewis concluded by calling the visit a highly productive and educational trade mission and expressed optimism about continued dialogue.
“This was a very productive mission and an educational experience for everyone involved,” Lewis said. “I look forward to continued conversations and partnerships that will deliver real investment, economic growth, and lasting benefits for the people of Illinois.”
Photo Credit: Dubai Chambers