Originally published June 17, 2011 at 7:39 PM | Page modified June 17, 2011 at 8:03 PM

Gov. Gregoire begins trade mission in Europe

Gov. Chris Gregoire began a weeklong trade mission in Europe on Friday, saying the overseas trip could spur Washington exports and the state's economic recovery.

By MIKE BAKER

Associated Press

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So, before she leaves office she decides to go on a European vacation on our dime. ... (June 17, 2011, by road less travelled) Read more

please don't hurry back (June 17, 2011, by richard nixon) Read more

She might as well stay home and save the money. She is so ineffective this trip is litt... (June 17, 2011, by jeffril) Read more

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OLYMPIA — Gov. Chris Gregoire began a weeklong trade mission in Europe on Friday, saying the overseas trip could spur Washington exports and the state's economic recovery.

Gregoire's first stop was in Spain, where she met with executives of the construction company Dragados. The company's U.S.-based subsidiary was selected to build the tunnel to replace Seattle's Alaskan Way Viaduct, and Gregoire said she wanted a firsthand look at a project Dragados recently completed ahead of schedule in Madrid.

She also has meetings with renewable-energy firms and wants to encourage them to locate or expand in Washington.

"This trade mission is about Washington's economic recovery," Gregoire said in a statement. "It's about selling Washington state and its products and increasing our exports to ensure job growth in areas like aerospace, life-sciences, automotive production and green energy."

Washington's delegation includes dozens of industry leaders in those sectors.

Gregoire said she also wanted to promote the state's education system. During the trade mission's first day, officials signed an agreement to collaborate with Madrid high schools. University of Washington students will have the opportunity to teach English in Spain.

The governor will later travel to France to attend the Paris Air Show and support the state's aerospace industry.

The Europe trip is the sixth foreign-trade mission Gregoire has taken as governor, according to her office. Last year, she visited China and Vietnam. She previously made a Europe expedition, with a stop at the Paris Air Show, in 2005.

The state will spend about $40,000 on the tour, according to the Governor's Office. Gregoire believes the trip is a good investment, pointing to millions of dollars in new sales and contracts that resulted from her trade mission to Asia last year.

Gregoire announced last week she will not seek a third term and that her final 18 months will be focused heavily on the economy. Washington has a 9.1 percent unemployment rate.