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RELEASE: Gov. Nixon participates in meeting of the Export Council in Washington, D.C.

Panel moderated by Boeing Chairman & CEO Jim McNerney comes in advance of business delegation to International Paris Air Show

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Jay Nixon today joined the President’s Export Council in Washington, D.C. for a panel discussion withSouth Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin on 21st Century Competitiveness. The panel, moderated byBoeing Chairman and CEO Jim McNerney, came in advance of the Governor leading a business delegation to the International Paris Air Show, the largest and longest-running aerospace trade show in the world.

“Exports continue to be a key driver of our economic growth because the more products we sell overseas, the more good jobs we create here at home,” Gov. Nixon said. “Over the past few years, we’ve seen exports of Missouri products reach record highs, and I appreciated the opportunity to share our perspective on continuing to compete and win in the 21st century global economy.”

The President’s Export Council (PEC) is the principal national advisory committee on international trade and currently includes twenty-four U.S. CEOs appointed by the President. The Council advises the President of government policies and programs that affect U.S. trade performance; promotes export expansion; and provides a forum for discussing and resolving trade-related problems among the business, industrial, agricultural, labor, and government sectors.

In addition to members of Congress and cabinet secretaries, current private-sector members of the PEC include W. James McNerney, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Boeing Company; Ian C. Read, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Pfizer; Virginia M. Rometty, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, IBM; and Patricia A. Woertz, Chairman, Archer Daniels Midland Company.

The business delegation being led by Gov. Nixon will have three primary goals: recruit additional foreign investment in the aerospace and advanced manufacturing sectors, strengthen relationships with global companies that already have a presence in the state, and increase exports of Missouri-made goods.

“Competing in today’s global economy requires a proactive approach, and Missouri’s strong presence at the world’s largest aerospace trade show is another example of our commitment to promoting the Show-Me State on a global scale,” Gov. Nixon said.

In 2010, aerospace and defense was identified by the Governor’s Strategic Initiative for Economic Growth as a priority for growth and job creation. Home to major aerospace companies such as Boeing Defense, GKN Aerospace, LMI Aerospace and PAS Technologies, Missouri is a top 10 state for aerospace manufacturing attractiveness according to a recent report by PwC.

“When it comes to economic development, there is simply no substitute for high-level, in-person meetings with decision makers,” saidMissouri Department of Economic Development Director Mike Downing. “This delegation is critical to protecting and strengthening Missouri’s position as a global hub for aerospace innovation and manufacturing.”

Among other commercial and military aircraft exhibits and demonstrations, the air show will feature a display of the Missouri-made F-15E Strike Eagle jet fighter. Boeing Defense, Space & Security has approximately 15,000 employees at its St. Louis headquarters, making it the largest manufacturer in the state. Last year, Boeing announced plans to expand its current composite facility and create up to 700 jobs in St. Louis to produce parts for the 777X, work that is currently being done by contractors or performed overseas.

At the air show, the Governor is scheduled to meet with major aerospace industry leaders and foreign investors who have, or are considering, significant investments in Missouri, including GKN Aerospace and Boeing. Other governors attending the air show this year include Florida Gov. Rick Scott, Utah Gov. Gary Herbert and Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

Calendar years 2014 and 2012 were the two best years on record for Missouri exports. Missouri export sales reached $14.1 billion in 2014, the second highest year on record after 2012. Aerospace exports sales from Missouri increased 88 percent in the first quarter of 2015 over the same period last year. France is Missouri’s 14th largest trading partner, having purchased $168.6 million worth of Missouri goods in 2014.

Joining the Governor on the delegation will be First Lady Georganne Nixon and Economic Development Director Downing. Businesses participating include Essex Industries, Stauder Technologies and Eminence Manufacturing.

While in Paris, the Governor will also meet with a number of France-based manufacturers and companies that already have a presence in the state including Saint-Gobain, the parent company of CertainTeed, which is building a $100 million facility in Jonesburg; and Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, an auto supplier that employs hundreds of Missourians at its Dexter manufacturing facility.

The delegation will depart on Friday, June 12 and return to Missouri on Wednesday, June 17. Travel costs for Governor and Mrs. Nixon are being covered by the Hawthorn Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting economic growth in Missouri. State taxpayer funds will not be used.