Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Contact: Brian Hauswirth, 573-751-0290
Blunt to Promote Trade in Meetings with European Consul Generals
ST. LOUIS–Noting that exports mean jobs, Gov. Matt Blunt this afternoon will meet with British Consul General Andrew Seaton and Italian Consul General Eugenio Sgro.
“Missouri workers are the most productive employees in the world,” Blunt said. “Today’s meetings provide a chance to open markets for Missouri products, generate more opportunities for Missouri workers and showcase the countless benefits of doing business in and with our state.”
Both the United Kingdom (U.K.) and Italy are among Missouri’s global partners. The U.K. is Missouri’s sixth-largest export market. In 2005, Missouri exported $375 million in products and services to the U.K. Italy is Missouri’s ninth-largest export market. Missouri exported $231 million in products and services to Italy in 2005. Missouri’s top export products to the U.K. and Italy are chemicals and machinery. There are about 275 British companies that have interests in Missouri, employing more than 5,000. There are about 20 Italian companies with interests in Missouri, employing about 1,000.
Consul General Seaton was instrumental in arranging Blunt’s trade mission to the U.K. last spring. Representatives from several leading Missouri firms accompanied Blunt on his spring trade mission, including Anheuser-Busch, Monsanto, Pfizer, Global Products and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.
Blunt met last week with Bob Charles, Australia’s Consul General in Chicago. Blunt met in September with Wolfgang Drautz, Germany’s Consul General in Chicago, and in June with Yutaka Yoshizawa, Japan’s Consul General in Chicago. The meetings were aimed at opening more markets for Missouri-based products.
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