Speaking from Office of International Programs at Missouri State University's Jim D. Morris Center late this morning, Gov. Jay Nixon announced he would lead a delegation of state political, business and manufacturing leaders on a five-day trade mission to Brazil.
The April 14-18 trip will include representatives from MSU, Boeing, Monsanto, Orscheln Products, Solae, Herzog Contracting Corp., Ungerboeck Systems International, SCD Probiotics, Infinite Energy Construction, Wilson Manufacturing, HTS Technologies, Worldwide Recycling Equipment, Diva Maker and Sunset Transportation, according to a news release.
“As a university, the students we train and the businesses we help create must be prepared to compete in a global economy,” said Jim Baker, MSU's vice president for research, economic development and international programs, in the release. “These agreements will help us forge relationships between Missouri State University and growing institutions in the dynamic and emerging Brazilian market."
Baker, who will be a part of the delegation, added, "These relationships will be beneficial for students, research and businesses at our university and throughout Missouri.”
During the trip, Nixon is scheduled to sign an agreement with Geraldo Alckmin, the governor of the state of São Paulo. The agreement would increase Missouri's exports to Brazil and open up opportunities for cultural and educational partnerships. He also will meet with several government leaders of Brasilia, the federal capital of Brazil.
“This exports mission is another critical step in our strategy of establishing solid trade relationship between Missouri and other states at the sub-national level,” Nixon said in the release. “We are committed to working directly with provincial and local governments in other countries to open doors and expand opportunities for Missouri businesses to sell their goods around the world."
During 2011, Missouri exported nearly $323 million in goods and products to Brazil, making the country Missouri's 10th largest export market. Missouri's top exports to Brazil include chemicals, minerals and ores, transportation equipment, machinery, electrical equipment and appliances, computer and electrical products, and agricultural products.
Also joining Nixon on the delegation will be Missouri First Lady Georganne Nixon; Jon Hagler, director of the Department of Agriculture; Jason Hall, deputy director of the Department of Economic Development; state Sen. Michael Parson, R-Bolivar, vice chairman of the Senate Agriculture, Food Production and Outdoor Resources Committee; and state Rep. Kevin McManus, D-Kansas City, a member of the House International Trade and Job Creation Committee. According to the release, travel costs for the Nixons are being paid by the Hawthorn Foundation, a nonprofit focused on creating economic growth in Missouri.
Missouri is fresh from a record-setting year in exports. Last year,
the state exported $14.1 billion. During a similar trade mission to China in October, the Missouri government and businesses closed more than $4.6 million in trade agreements.[[In-content Ad]]
