AUGUSTA – Gov. John Baldacci met Thursday with Lee Tae-sik, South Korea’s ambassador to the United States, to promote Maine’s relationship with South Korea and highlight the upcoming gubernatorial trade mission to South Korea and Japan.

“South Korea has proved to be a wonderful trade and business partner to Maine, and we plan to explore additional marketing opportunities in the country’s expanding economy,” said Baldacci. “Ambassador Lee’s visit here today strengthens the bond between Maine and South Korea, and I look forward to visiting his native country in October.”

Baldacci, along with state Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner John Richardson, Director of Tourism Pat Eltman and Maine International Trade Center President Janine Bisaillon-Cary, welcomed Lee to the state and discussed trade and tourism opportunities.

MITC is coordinating a gubernatorial trade mission to South Korea and Japan from Oct. 27 to Nov. 3 to offer Maine businesses the opportunity to establish contacts in Asia and expand trade to both countries’ growing economies.

“We are building off the momentum of a record export year to increase trade between Maine and Asia, and the trade mission [will] allow Maine businesses and entrepreneurs to capitalize on meetings and knowledge obtained through the mission,” said Richardson.

MITC will provide one-on-one business appointments, in-country market research, visit preparation, market briefings and networking events as part of the trade mission.

Bisaillon-Cary said the trade mission’s timing works well with the recent reports of increased trade between Maine and Asia. Maine’s exports to South Korea totaled $111 million in 2006, a 29 percent increase from 2005; exports to Japan totaled $129 million in 2006, a 47 percent increase.

“MITC is working to provide Maine businesses with economic opportunities overseas, specifically in the emerging markets of South Korea, Japan and China,” said Bisaillon-Cary.