( KTRS ) Gov. Jay Nixon is traveling to South America next week for a trade mission.

Nixon says he’s traveling to Colombia and Peru from Saturday through the following Friday.

Like previous trade missions, Nixon says the goal is to increase exports and encourage companies from those countries to invest in Missouri. This is Nixon’s first international trade mission of the year. Nixon last year traveled to Canada and made two trips to Europe. First Lady Georganne Nixon and the state economic development director are joining Nixon.

Nixon says he’ll meet with government officials and business groups in both countries.