CALGARY, Alberta – Gov. Jay Nixon announced Tuesday he has signed Missouri’s first trade agreement with the province of Alberta to expand exports to Canada, the state’s leading export destination. It is the third trade agreement the Governor has signed with a Canadian province in the past 18 months. In 2014, Missouri exports to Canada reached an all-time high of more than $4.7 billion.

“One of the best ways to create jobs and boost our state’s economy is to expand trade relations and compete fully in the global marketplace, because 96 percent of the world’s consumers live outside the United States,” Gov. Nixon said. “This agreement with Alberta, along with the relationships we’re building on this mission, provides the opportunity to further expand our trade with Canada, Missouri’s top export market and one of the leading nations for investment in the Show-Me State.”

Employment figures released today showed Missouri added another 11,900 jobs in July. It is estimated exports to Canada are responsible for supporting more than 160,000 Missouri jobs.

The agreement with Alberta, signed Monday in Edmonton by Gov. Nixon and Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, provides a framework for further collaboration and economic development initiatives to enhance trade and investment between Missouri and Alberta. Alberta is Canada’s leading energy province, and in 2014 bi-lateral trade between Missouri and Alberta surpassed $465 million.