By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt will head to Europe this month to meet business leaders in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Missouri exported more than $10 billion in goods last year, and Blunt says international trade is vital to the state's economy.
The Hawthorn Foundation is paying for the trip. It's a nonprofit group created to supplement state efforts to attract business.
Several businesses - including Anheuser-Busch, Centene, Pfizer, and the Coalition for Life and Plant Sciences - will go on the trip with Blunt.
The governor will also take some vacation trip while overseas, with First Lady Melanie Blunt set to join him towards the end of his trip.
The trip is slotted for March 17 - April 2.