CONCORD - Beginning Saturday, Gov. John Lynch will lead New Hampshire businesses on a trade mission to Germany, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine aimed at increasing investment in New Hampshire, helping New Hampshire businesses find new customers, increasing New Hampshire's sales in global markets, and increase international tourism to New Hampshire.

"To create and retain jobs here in New Hampshire, we must sell our goods and services across the world, and I am committed to making sure New Hampshire is a leader in international trade," Gov. Lynch said. "The goal of this mission is help find new customers for New Hampshire products, increase our global sales, and increase international tourism to New Hampshire."

Gov. Lynch will spend much of the mission meeting with potential business partners, customers, and investors for New Hampshire companies, introducing them to all that New Hampshire has to offer. He was also meet with officials from Lufthansa Airlines to discuss possibilities for a relationship with airports in New Hampshire.

The trade mission, organized by the New Hampshire International Trade Resource Center, will connect participating businesses with potential clients through one-on-one meetings, receptions and meetings with businesses and government officials.

Gov. Lynch will also promote tourism to New Hampshire, through interviews with local press and tour operators.

The trade mission will take place from Oct. 8 to Oct. 19. Businesses participating in the Mission are:

• The New Hampshire High Technology Council
• Clearview Software of Amherst
• DD Bean & Sons Company of Jaffrey
• Len-Tex Corporation of North Walpole
• Nixon Peabody LLP
• PennWell Publishing of Nashua
• Pneutek, Inc. of Hudson
• Warwick Mills of New Ipswich

Participating businesses, as well as the Governor, pay their own costs.

This will be the state's first trade mission to the Czech Republic and the Ukraine, and Gov. Lynch will be the first U.S. Governor to lead a trade mission to the Ukraine.

In 2004, New Hampshire's exports to Germany, Czech Republic and Ukraine totaled more than $149 million. Over the last three years, New Hampshire exports to Germany have grown 12 percent, to the Czech Republic by 314 percent, and by 691 percent to the Ukraine.