By Paul Hammel
WORLD-HERALD

LINCOLN -- With the world-wide economy beginning to show signs of recovery and other states cutting back on overseas trade missions, Gov. Dave Heineman said today that "the time is right" to pitch Nebraska beef and other commodities in the Far East.

The governor said State Agriculture Director Greg Ibach will lead a trade mission to Hong Kong and Taiwan in August.

Those countries are the state's fifth- and sixth-largest trading partners, even though they have some restrictions on importing Nebraska beef.

Heineman said he will not be joining this trade mission. But he said it's important to maintain relationships with the Asian countries, which were last visited by a Nebraska trade group in 2007.

The governor said that despite his call for agencies to watch their spending and restrict travel, the trade mission was a "smart" investment that could increase tax revenue to the state if sales are made.