By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Governor Matt Blunt says an agreement has been reached that has the potential to turn St. Louis into a trade hub between the state of Missouri and China.
Blunt made the announcement from Beijing, where he, senators Kit Bond and Claire McCaskill, and other state officials and business representatives are spending the week.
He says the Chinese government will send a team to St. Louis to explore export opportunities.
"We talked a great deal about a very specific target of increasing exports from Missouri to China by at least 50% over the next three years," Blunt said.
Blunt added that the Show Me State currently exports about a billion dollars worth of goods to China per year.
"The two areas that we are focusing on as we look to increase exports are high-tech manufacturing, and (Chinese officials are) aware of Missourians' skill in high-tech manufacturing, and agriculture...beef would be one example," Blunt said.
The agreement will also explore the possibility of Lambert International Airport becoming a hub for Air China.