Minnesota To Open Trade Office in Germany [AUDIO]

ST. PAUL (AP) - Gov. Mark Dayton says the state will open a European trade office in Germany to promote exports and foreign investment back in Minnesota.

Dayton's administration announced the new outpost while the governor was traveling in Germany as part of a 10-day trade mission.

Dayton says he met with Geringhoff officials while in Germany, a farm equipment company that last year announced plans to build their first North American plant here in St. Cloud.

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.

It wasn't immediately clear when the new office will open. Officials say it will be located 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.