Gov. Jay Nixon will lead a delegation of Missouri business leaders and state officials during a March 2-6 trade mission to Canada.
Included in the delegation will be representatives of Missouri businesses such as Custom Metalcraft Inc. of Springfield; Essex Industries of St. Louis; and Kent Precision Foods Group Inc. of St. Louis. Officials with the state departments of Economic Development and Agriculture also will be attending the trip to Missouri's largest export market, according to a news release.
“As a result of our efforts to establish relationships and build strategic alliances across the globe, our foreign presence is growing exponentially from year to year," said Gregory Macchi, Custom Metalcraft's international sales manager, in the release. "We view the governor's trade mission to Canada as a great opportunity to build upon our footprint in Canada, and with the governor’s help opening doors, we expect to grow even more.”
Canada purchased nearly $4 billion in Missouri goods last year, led by the provinces of Ontario, at $2.6 billion, and Quebec, at $700 million. During the trip, delegates will meet with leaders in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto.
“Ninety-six percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United States, so in order to keep creating jobs here at home, we need to do everything we can to reach new customers for Missouri-made products abroad,” Nixon said in the release. “As Missouri’s No. 1 export market, Canada offers tremendous opportunities for Missouri businesses and farmers. The goal of this mission is simple: sell more products to Canada, and create more jobs in Missouri.”
In addition to government officials, Nixon will meet with the leadership of major Canadian corporations, including Magna International, the parent company of Magna Seating in Excelsior Springs, and LMV Automotive in Liberty.
During 2013, Missouri's top exports to Canada were transportation equipment, at $1.5 billion; chemicals, $624 million; machinery, $438 million; and food products, $352 million, the release said.[[In-content Ad]]
