Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov.  Kim Reynolds will lead trade missions to South Korea and Brazil, respectively.

Brazil is Iowa’s fifth-largest trading partner, with exports to that country exceeding $500 million in manufactured and value-added goods in 2014. South Korea is Iowa’s ninth-largest export destination, with exports from Iowa close to $367 million in manufactured and value-added goods during the same period. Iowa’s exports have grown to a record $15.1 billion.

Iowa companies in many industry sectors will be invited to participate. Companies will have one-on-one, pre-qualified appointments targeted to developing or expanding direct export sales, locating distributors or agents, or conducting market research, among other goals. The roster of companies for the Brazil trip is full, but slots are still available for the South Korea visit.

The Brazil mission will take place April 25 through May 2 and includes visits to Sao Paulo and Ribeirão Preto. The Seoul, South Korea, mission is scheduled for Sept. 7-13. The Iowa Economic Development Authority is coordinating the trips, which will be financed entirely through private donations to the IEDA Foundation. Read more