Nixon to lead trade mission to South Korea, Taiwan

Gov. Jay Nixon has scheduled a weeklong trade mission to South Korea and Taiwan, leading a delegation of individuals representing Missouri businesses, commodity groups and higher education institutions.

During the March 15-22 trip, state officials are slated to sign agreements with trade organizations in South Korea and Taiwan, and Missouri businesses are expected to negotiate contracts with customers in the two countries, according to a news release.

“Agriculture is vital to our economy and our way of life, supporting thousands of jobs and generating billions in economic activity. That’s especially true in southwest Missouri,” said state Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, a member of the delegation, in the release. “This mission is a unique opportunity to open new international markets for farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses in our region and create jobs across our state.”

Also joining the governor and first lady Georganne Nixon will be Jon Hagler, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture; Chris Pieper, acting director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development; Senate Minority Floor Leader Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City; state Rep. Lincoln Hough, R-Springfield; and state Rep. Gail McCann Beatty, D-Kansas City.

The delegation also will include officials from Missouri State University, as well as Monsanto; Ribus Inc.; Cardinal Scale Manufacturing Co.; Missouri-Pacific Lumber Co.; Missouri Energy Development Association; Energy Saver LED; Diva Maker; the Missouri Corn Growers Association; American Botanicals; the Missouri Soybean Association; NeCo Seeds; Northwest Missouri State University; the University of Missouri-Kansas City; and the University of Missouri-Columbia.

“Selling more Missouri-made goods around the globe creates more good jobs for Missourians here at home,” Nixon said in the release.

He pointed to calendar years 2011 and 2012, when Missouri businesses exported $28 billion in goods made in the state. During 2012, South Korea, Missouri's fourth-largest trade partner, purchased more than $709 million in Missouri goods, a 16 percent increase compared to 2011. Taiwan, the state's 24th largest trade partner, bought more than $98 million in goods last year.

“This trade mission will help build on this momentum by identifying new opportunities to sell even more Missouri-made and Missouri-grown goods in these key and growing markets," Nixon added.

The governor led trade missions to China in October 2011 and Brazil in April 2012, which led to agreements to sell $4.6 billion in Missouri goods to Chinese consumers and the first-ever trade agreement with the state of Sao Paulo in Brazil, the release said.