Governor announces trip to Asia Trade mission planned

Gov. John Baldacci has announced plans to lead a group of Maine businesses on a trade mission to Japan and South Korea in November.

The governor hopes the mission will increase Asia’s demand for Maine paper and wood pulp, medical products, maritime instruments, sea urchins, blueberries and lobster.

“We have to go out and hustle it,” Baldacci said. “We can’t take it for granted that it will come. We have to compete in the global economy.”

Baldacci announced the venture during the Governor’s International Community Breakfast held Thursday at the Holiday Inn By the Bay in Portland. The World Affairs Council hosted the event, which drew 125 guests.

The Maine International Trade Center will organize the trip. In an interview Friday, MITC spokesman Wade Merritt said the center estimates Maine exported $2.6 billion in goods and services in 2006, a 14 percent increase from the previous year. Maine exports have grown 33 percent between 2002 and 2006.

Canada remains the leading export destination for Maine products, with Malaysia coming in second. China ranks third, Japan ranks fourth and Korea ranks fifth.

Merritt said Korea has taken a particular interest in U.S. education and ranks third among foreign countries in terms of the number of students who study in the United States. To encourage this, the trip will promote Maine’s universities along with its native products, Merritt said.

“There’s been a big move to try to get foreign students here. Foreign students come and spend money while they live here, and they get the services of a university education,” Merritt said.

Husson College has actively recruited nursing students from Korea, Merritt said.

This spring, MITC will begin recruiting companies to join the trip. The businesses that attend will cover the cost of the governor and his security’s expenses.

In the past, Maine has initiated trade missions to France, Germany, Italy, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

On a related note, the governor signed an executive order Thursday to create the Maine International Relations Planning Committee. He expects the committee to develop a plan to create additional international trade opportunities for Maine.

For information on the trade mission, visit www.mitc.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.