Minn. gov plans trade mission to Scandinavia

Minn. plans June trade mission to Germany, Sweden and Norway; countries are market for Minn.

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton is planning a trade mission to Germany, Sweden and Norway in June.

Dayton's office announced the trip Thursday. The Democratic governor along with Minnesota business and trade organization leaders will meet with a range of government and business interests in countries that the administration says combined make up a $1 billion export market for Minnesota industries. Among the sectors that do the most business there are medical devices, machinery, electrical machinery and transportation equipment.

It will be the Democratic governor's third official trip overseas after a 2011 mission to South Korea and Japan and a 2012 trip to China.

Any Minnesota company with activities or business interests in Europe can apply to send a representative on the trip. Companies pay their own travel costs though the state offers reduced fees for some qualified small businesses.