From September 6–13, 2025, Galați County, Romania, made history with its first-ever U.S. mission, hosted in Austin, Texas, by AngelouEconomics. The weeklong visit included around forty meetings with business leaders, policymakers, and academics across Central Texas, laying the foundations for lasting collaborations that position Galați as the Danube gateway for American investment.
The mission commenced with a welcome dinner in Austin, followed by a San Antonio program with the Greater SATX Regional Partnership, San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Port San Antonio, Brooks Development Authority. In Austin, the delegation met with Mayor Kirk Watson and the Austin Chamber of Commerce, and traveled to Bastrop for sessions with city leaders, the Bastrop EDC, and the Boring Company.
Academic exchanges were central to the agenda, with visits to UT Austin, Texas State University and STAR Park, and the Austin Community College Bioscience Incubator, underscoring opportunities for collaboration in engineering, research, and workforce development.
Industry meetings encompassed multiple sectors: ER Wagner (manufacturing), Electroninks (advanced materials), SK KeyFoundry (semiconductors), Avison Young (real estate), and C3 Presents (creative industries). The delegation also connected with the Visit Austin Foundation on tourism promotion and with the National Security Innovation Councilon defense and supply chain innovation.
The delegation also deepened its understanding of airport development through an exchange with Webber Air Cargo’s Mike Webber, responsible for airport development strategies, and a visit to AUS that included discussions with Jason Alexander, Deputy Chief for airport affairs.
High-level policy discussions included meetings with Congressman Michael McCaul’s office, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, the Texas Secretary of State’s office with Adriana Cruz (Texas Economic Development & Tourism), Travis County Judge Andy Brown, and leaders in Williamson County, emphasizing Galați’s potential as a partner in regional trade and investment.
The program was topped off with cultural and networking highlights, from a tour of the Texas Capitol and LBJ Library to receptions hosted by ecosystem partners, plus visits to the Austin Winery and Fredericksburg’s wine country to showcase synergies in hospitality and tourism.
The message throughout was clear: Galați combines port infrastructure, industrial base, and engineering talent to serve as a bridge between Europe, the Black Sea, and global markets. This mission opened the door for U.S. companies to explore partnerships in logistics, manufacturing, research, and tourism—with Galați ready to deliver.
Looking ahead, we are committed to advancing the projects initiated during this mission and will maintain close follow-up with the county to ensure these partnerships are fully realized. By building on the momentum created, we aim to cement lasting connections that drive shared growth and opportunity.
