A Trip With Purpose
In early May 2025, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy led a 40-member delegation, including First Lady Tammy Murphy, on a seven-day economic mission to Dubai. The goal was clear: strengthen ties with the United Arab Emirates in manufacturing, education, and entrepreneurship. The trip delivered a $100 million investment and new university partnerships, sparking optimism about New Jersey’s global role. But what do these deals mean for the state’s residents?
From high-level meetings with UAE business leaders to discussions with university presidents, the delegation worked to position New Jersey as a hub for innovation and trade. The outcomes, including job creation and academic collaborations, reflect ambition. Yet, questions linger about how these international agreements will translate into local benefits and whether oversight will keep pace with opportunity.
Jobs on the Horizon
A major highlight was Hotpack Global’s pledge to invest $100 million in a 70,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Edison, New Jersey. The UAE-based company, known for sustainable food packaging, expects to create up to 200 jobs over five years. This builds on Hotpack’s 2023 decision to open a warehouse in Edison, reinforcing New Jersey’s appeal to global firms.
This investment fits a larger pattern of foreign direct investment in U.S. manufacturing. In 2025, the U.S. led the Kearney FDI Confidence Index, with projects like Johnson & Johnson’s $55 billion biopharma expansion driving job growth. For New Jersey, Hotpack’s facility promises economic gains, particularly in logistics and sustainability. Still, ensuring these jobs reach local workers and adhere to fair labor standards remains a priority for many residents.
Academic Bridges
Education emerged as a cornerstone of the mission. Rowan University formalized a partnership with the American University of Ras Al Khaimah, focusing on joint research and academic exchanges. Kean University also signed agreements with three Dubai institutions: the American University of Dubai, the University of Dubai, and the University of Wollongong in Dubai. These collaborations target fields like artificial intelligence and clean energy, fostering innovation.
Cross-border academic partnerships have deep roots, from the Fulbright Program in 1946 to recent U.S.-Gulf agreements producing over 100 co-authored publications in 2024. For New Jersey’s students and faculty, these deals could unlock global opportunities. However, ensuring equitable access to these programs and clarity on how research benefits are distributed will be critical to their success.
Weighing Benefits and Risks
The mission showcased New Jersey’s strengths to UAE businesses through meetings with groups like the U.S.-UAE Business Council and the Indian Business & Professional Council in Dubai. Discussions highlighted the state’s access to North American markets and its innovation ecosystem, with a nod to women’s entrepreneurship, a growing global force where women now launch over 35 percent of new businesses, fueled by initiatives like the World Economic Forum’s Gender Parity Accelerators.
State-led trade missions often drive economic growth, with data showing a 25 percent export revenue boost for states within a year of such trips since 2020. Yet, some policymakers stress the need for robust oversight to address risks like foreign influence or labor and environmental concerns. As New Jersey deepens UAE ties, balancing economic ambition with transparency will shape public trust in these ventures.
Looking Ahead
New Jersey’s Dubai mission continues a tradition of global outreach that began in the 1990s, evolving from export promotion to sophisticated partnerships. The 2025 trip secured investment, academic ties, and cultural connections, positioning the state as a global player. The challenge now is execution—delivering promised jobs and ensuring university collaborations benefit students and researchers.
For residents, the mission signals a future tied to global markets and innovation. It reflects New Jersey’s drive to attract investment while raising questions about accountability. Moving forward, the state’s ability to turn these partnerships into lasting local gains will determine whether this venture becomes a model for economic diplomacy or a cautionary tale.