Pawlenty to lead trade mission to South America

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is preparing to lead a trade mission to South America early next month.

State officials and business leaders will travel to Chile and Brazil from December 5-12. Members of the trade delegation met for a briefing Monday at the Medtronic campus in Mounds View.

Pawlenty told reporters that during challenging economic times, he wants to look for every opportunity to promote Minnesota businesses.

"Before the economic collapse of last year, Minnesota's exports was one of the significant bright spots of the Minnesota economy," said Pawlenty. "Minnesota's exports were growing more rapidly than the national average and many other states across the country."

Pawlenty was joined by the Chilean ambassador to the United States, Jose Goni, who said his country is ready to increase trade. He said Chile is also interested in developing academic and scientific exchanges with Minnesota.