Nixon to lead European trade mission

Gov. Jay Nixon is slated to leave Friday with a delegation of Missouri business, industry and higher education leaders to conduct a trade mission in France, the United Kingdom and Belgium.

The trip is scheduled June 14-22, according to a news release.

“The world wants what Missouri makes. By connecting Missouri businesses with customers in foreign markets and attracting new investments from around the globe, we can continue to create good jobs here at home,” Nixon said in the release. “Through strict fiscal discipline and strategic investments in economic development, Missouri’s exports have reached record highs, while our unemployment rate has hit a four-year low.

"Expanding exports is vital to keeping our economy moving forward.”

During 2011 and 2012, Missouri export sales totaled $28 billion, the release said.

The delegation includes Sen. Ron Richard, R-Joplin, as well as representatives of businesses and universities such as Boeing, Essex Industries, the St. Louis and Kansas City international airports, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

“Designing, building and supplying aviation components creates good jobs in southwest Missouri and throughout the state,” said Richard, the Senate majority floor leader, in the release. "By strengthening our state’s role in the global aerospace industry, we can continue to bring more jobs home to Missouri."

In March, Nixon led a trade mission to South Korea and Taiwan, resulting in trade agreements totaling $1.9 billion during the next four years. He also led missions to China in October 2011 and Brazil in April 2012.