Translate
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
English
French
German
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
SpanishNew Jersey Lands $100 Million Investment in UAE-Backed Manufacturing Deal
Steven Ganot, The Media Line | May 04, 2025
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy wrapped up a wide-ranging tour of the Gulf region, securing major economic deals and strengthening ties with key partners. Reporting for The Media Line, Hudhaifa Ebrahim details how Murphy’s trip to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates led to new collaborations in artificial intelligence, education, and youth development, as well as a $100 million Emirati investment in a green manufacturing facility in Edison, New Jersey.
Murphy’s visit emphasized economic diplomacy and investment promotion. He pitched New Jersey as a hub for high-tech innovation, advanced manufacturing, and global logistics. He also laid the groundwork for lasting academic and industrial partnerships through signed memoranda of understanding between New Jersey institutions and regional universities.
While in Bahrain, Murphy voiced support for cooperation over protectionism, remarking, “I’m not a tariffs guy,” in response to a question about Donald Trump’s trade policies. He stressed the importance of free trade and cited Bahrain’s strategic role—comparing it to Singapore’s position in Southeast Asia—as a potential entry point to Gulf markets.
The trip also yielded Hotpack’s pledge to build its first North American manufacturing site in New Jersey, a 70,000-square-foot facility expected to generate 200 jobs by 2030. Murphy underscored the state’s strengths—diversity, education, innovation—and its pivotal role in the US economy, particularly in sectors like green energy and pharmaceuticals.
With his term ending in January 2026, Murphy’s Gulf tour signals his commitment to cementing New Jersey’s global economic footprint. Read Hudhaifa Ebrahim’s full report at The Media Line to learn more about the deals, diplomacy, and next steps.