International Trade Opportunities

2006-04-07 By Gov. Matt Blunt

JEFFERSON CITY -- Establishing business relationships with international partners is critical to attracting good, family-supporting jobs to Missouri. Since taking office, I have had the privilege of meeting with international officials to represent our state and highlight Missouri's workforce.

During these meetings, I am able to tout Missouri's improving entrepreneurial climate and outstanding work ethic. Meetings like these coupled with ongoing efforts by our Economic Development staff and local communities continue to help position Missouri as a player in the global market. In addition, our economic development opportunities continue to expand as we see the positive impact of much needed litigation reform, workers' compensation reform and the Quality Jobs Act I signed last year.

In 2005, Missouri set a new export record with international sales totaling $10.5 billion. Missouri companies increased their exports by $1.5 billion or 16 percent over 2004 totals. Our states top export categories were agricultural products, food products, fabricated metal products, transportation equipment, machinery, electrical equipment, primary metal manufacturing and chemicals. Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico and the United Kingdom were our top export partners last year.

It is my goal to ensure that more and more Missouri products can become available around the world. During a recent trade mission, I met with European community and business leaders to help build on these record-breaking export numbers. For our state to be competitive in the global market and continue to attract high quality, family supporting jobs, we must build and maintain relationships with our international partners. Governors across the nation are reaching out to international business leaders, so we must do the same. During the trip, some of Missouri's premier businesses joined me to tout the countless benefits of working with Missouri companies.

We visited Czech Republic and Hungary, two countries whose growing economies are ripe for business development and hold limitless potential.

Incidentally, our nation's Ambassador to Hungary, Bert Walker, is a Missourian. This provides us with a unique opportunity to strengthen our state's presence in Eastern Europe. We also visited Italy, United Kingdom and Belgium; three countries that are already among Missouri's top export recipients. The trade mission was an invaluable opportunity to continue diversifying our customers, expanding trade opportunities and identifying new markets for Missouri products. With positive outreach like the trade mission, I am confident the ongoing economic growth from Missouri exports will continue to benefit our farm families, local hometown entrepreneurs, and most importantly the people of our state.

It is important that international markets understand the business climate in Missouri and the benefits of conducting business in our state.

One of my jobs as governor is to promote Missouri's business climate to international business partners. It is a roll I am honored to fulfill as I believe Missouri workers are second to none and that Missouri truly is the best place to live, work and raise a family.