ST. PAUL, Minn. — Gov. Mark Dayton says the state will open a European trade office in Germany to promote exports and foreign investment back in Minnesota.
Dayton announced the new outpost Wednesday while traveling in Germany with a business delegation.
It is one of three international offices the Legislature allotted money for in the new state budget. The other two locations have yet to be announced. Minnesota currently has a trade office in Shanghai, China.
Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Katie Clark Sieben foresees a fall opening of the office in the Dusseldorf-Cologne area of Germany. The country was Minnesota's fifth-largest export market in 2012.
During Dayton's campaign for office, the Democrat questioned the strategy of having foreign trade offices. He says he has been convinced the offices have upside potential.
