By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Governor Bob Riley announced Wednesday he will lead a trade mission to Chile and Brazil this fall. It will be part of Alabama's renewed effort to increase exports. Riley discussed the effort with Chilean ambassador to the U-S, Andres Bianchi and a representative of the U-S Chamber of Commerce. Chile is participating because a new free trade agreement is expected to boost U-S exports to the country. Brazil is considered as a growing market for Alabama products. Alabama exports to Brazil have increased 34 percent since 1999. Riley says there's not an exact date for the one-week trade mission. But it could happen around mid-September.