PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro welcomed His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Mxima of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Philadelphia during their working visit to the United States.
According to a press release from PAcast, they toured Independence Hall, visited the Liberty Bell, and convened a roundtable with the CEOs of Dutch multinational businesses to encourage them to increase investment in Pennsylvania.
His Majesty King Willem-Alexander and Her Majesty Queen Mxima visiting the Liberty Bell with Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro
Courtesy of PAcast
Following their roundtable, Dutch VB Greenhouses BV and US Little Leaf Farms PA LLC signed a contract with the intent to build a commercial greenhouse facility in Banks Township, PA and extend the company’s Pennsylvania campus into the largest indoor leafy greens campus in the world.
Officials say during their visit, the Governor, First Lady, and Their Majesties highlighted the long-standing relationship between Pennsylvania and the Netherlands, dating back to the Commonwealth’s founding in 1681, while underscoring shared economic ties ahead of America’s 250th anniversary.
“We’re honored to welcome Their Majesties to the Commonwealth as we celebrate the historic friendship between Pennsylvania and the Netherlands,” said Governor Shapiro. “For centuries, our people have benefitted from this productive relationship, and my Administration looks forward to strengthening those ties and our shared commitment to economic opportunity and innovation.”
The release says in 2025, trade between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Pennsylvania totaled $3.7 billion, up 17% from 2024, including more than $1.6 billion in total trade of pharmaceutical products, a growing and robust partnership in life sciences. With this growth in trade, the Netherlands sits as Pennsylvania’s sixth largest international job creator and 16th largest trading partner.
Governor Shapiro Welcomes the King and Queen of the Netherlands to Philadelphia, Highlight Economic Ties between Pennsylvania and the Netherlands
Courtesy of PAcast
Following the tour of Independence Hall, the Governor and First Lady and Their Majesties joined Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding at the Cira Centre for a roundtable discussion with CEOs of Dutch multinational businesses to discuss the economic ties between the Commonwealth and the Netherlands, and opportunities for further investment in Pennsylvania.
At the Cira Centre, DCED Secretary Siger and Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sjoerd Sjoerdsma signed a Letter of Understanding, laying out a roadmap for future economic collaboration specifically focused on advanced manufacturing and robotics, life sciences, agriculture, sports, and academia.
“The Netherlands is one of the largest foreign investors in the United States with a very strong presence in Pennsylvania,” said DCED Secretary Siger. “The Shapiro Administration is working to build that relationship further by making it easier to do business in the Commonwealth and creating an attractive ecosystem for companies in life sciences, agriculture, tech, and advanced manufacturing.”
While the Netherlands has emerged as a major European life sciences and pharmaceutical hub, Pennsylvania has also grown into a national life sciences powerhouse, employing more than 100,000 people across 3,100 companies, authorities say.
(Left to right): King Willem-Alexander, Queen Mxima, Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro
Courtesy of PAcast
Growing Pennsylvania’s Economy
The release says Governor Shapiro’s 2026-27 budget proposal builds on Pennsylvania’s economic momentum by investing in long-term growth and ensuring communities across the Commonwealth can compete and win. This budget increases funding for innovation in Pennsylvania’s 10-year Economic Development Strategy, including the life sciences, robotics and technology, energy, manufacturing, and agriculture industries.
The PA First Program, which connects businesses with trained workers and supports job retention and capital investments, will receive an additional $10 million for a total of $38 million in this budget.
This budget also creates the Innovate in PA 2.0 program to deploy nearly $100 million into the state’s innovation economy, providing capital for promising startups – following in the footsteps of companies like Gecko Robotics in Pittsburgh or Gilson Snow in Selinsgrove – to fund clinical trials for the life sciences and enhance the Commonwealth’s innovation network to help these companies succeed.
Pennsylvania’s Business Climate and Growing Economy is Earning National Recognition
Officials say since taking office, Governor Shapiro has made Pennsylvania more competitive —attracting over $41 billion in private-sector investment while creating nearly 23,000 good-paying jobs across the Commonwealth and earning national recognition.
Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast with a growing economy, based on analysis done by Moody’s Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi.
Last year, according to a new analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Commonwealth ranked third in the nation for job growth.
Area Development ranked Pennsylvania among the top 20 “Best States for Business” — the only Northeastern state to make the list — and placed the Commonwealth in the top 10 for “Site Readiness Programs.”
Site Selection Magazine named Pennsylvania one of the top business climates in the nation
To learn more about the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to support Pennsylvania’s workers and businesses and spur the economy, visit: Economic Development | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.