Mo. governor in France to promote defense industry

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Gov. Matt Blunt is in France this week promoting Missouri's airplane and defense industry.

Blunt is attending the Paris Air Show, the world's biggest air show. The governor's office said he's working to promote companies with Missouri ties, such as Boeing Co., Essex Industries and GKN. Blunt is among four U.S. governors who planned to attend the international trade fair.

The weeklong show opened Monday at Le Bourget, north of Paris, and the intense competition between Airbus and Boeing was expected to be a dominant theme.

The trip is being paid for by the Hawthorn Foundation, a nonprofit group that funds business promotion activities by Missouri governors and receptions for visiting dignitaries.

The governor headed to Paris on Saturday and plans to return Wednesday. During that time, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder is officially in charge of the state. Kinder plans to sign some legislation while acting as governor, Blunt's office said.

Blunt has taken several trips promoting Missouri business recently. In March he went to Italy for a weeklong trade mission to promote Boeing products.

Blunt has traveled twice to Mexico on trade trips -- in February and also in 2005.

In Mexico, he encouraged development of a Kansas City port linking the United States and Mexico.

Last year, Blunt spent two weeks in Europe, making stops in Belgium, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy and the United Kingdom.

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On the Net:

Blunt: http://www.gov.mo.gov