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      Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he will lead a 
Minnesota delegation to
the Middle Eastern country in December.


      Pawlenty's mission will include around 30 people, including
business leaders hoping to establish or expand trade opportunities.
The country is currently 22nd on the list of nations that receive
Minnesota exports, with $121 million worth of goods shipped there
in 2007.

The governor's trade mission schedule includes visits to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Pawlenty said he hopes to expand Minnesota's exports to Israel, already the state's largest trade partner in the Middle East.

Minnesota trade officials said Minnesota exports to Israel have increased 179 percent since 2004.  100 Minnesota companies currently do business in Israel and a number Pawlenty would like to see grow in future years.  

"Israel is a place that is not only historic and so important for many many reasons but it's also something that presents to us an opportunity for increased trade and mutually beneficial economic relationships," Pawlenty said.

      Pawlenty said his mission will overlap with a large economic
conference there. Republican Arne Carlson was the last Minnesota
governor to take a trade delegation there, which he did in 1993.


      The Minnesota trade office said it is seeking participants with
a high-tech emphasis and community leaders looking to establish
stronger ties between the state and Israel.


      Pawlenty's previous trade trips have been to places like India,
China and Canada.


    (The Associate Press contributed to this report.)

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Pawlenty on the road often in 2008

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Tom Scheck

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Gov. Tim Pawlenty's mission will include around 30 people, including
business leaders hoping to establish or expand trade opportunities.

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Pawlenty plans trade mission to Israel

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