Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds announce two trade promotion trips to Asia

State of Iowa Seal

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced plans to make two trade promotion trips to Asia this year. The announcement was made this morning by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds at the administration’s weekly press conference. Gov. Branstad was absent from the press conference while attending National Governors Association meetings in Washington, D.C.

“In today’s global economy, it is important to network and build rapport to expand trade channels,” said Reynolds. “These trips will allow Governor Branstad, Iowa businesses and me to make those connections that will allow us to grow Iowa’s economy and create jobs by increasing exports.”

Gov. Branstad’s trade promotion trip will take him to South Korea and China. The trip is tentatively scheduled from June 6, 2011 to June 17, 2011. The trip will include business meetings, trade shows and a visit to Iowa’s sister city of Shijiazhuang, China.

Lt. Gov. Reynolds plans to visit Japan and Taiwan in September 2011, with a full listing of destinations to be named at a later date.

Gov. Branstad has made a commitment to increase Iowa exports by twenty percent over the next five years to help spur domestic job creation.

Iowa companies, farmers, organizations and press can participate in Gov. Branstad or Lt. Gov. Reynolds’ trade promotion trip. Interested parties can find more information at the Iowa Department of Economic Development’s website, www.iowalifechanging.com/intlevents. The deadline for applications for Gov. Branstad’s summer trade mission is April 15, 2011.

For more information please visit www.governor.iowa.gov.