Governor Matt Blunt has begun a trade mission to Italy. A major focus of this trip will see the Governor pushing to expand the international sales of Boeing’s defense platforms. He is also helping to promote Missouri’s agriculture and biotechnology industries.

Jessica Robinson with the Governor’s office says the Italian market is already important to Missouri, as it is the state’s fourth biggest trading partner in Europe and the twelfth biggest in the world. And, she point out, Boeing is already selling military hardware and other equipment to the Italians.

In 2006 alone, more than $155-Million worth of exports passed from Missouri to Italy. This weeklong trade mission is sponsored by the nonprofit, nonpartisan Hawthorn Foundation, which assists both public and private efforts in promoting Missouri’s economic development initiatives.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)