BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter is getting ready for a nine-day trade mission in Russia. The Republican governor, his staff and Idaho business leaders will leave Boise Friday.

The trip caps a busy year of international travel for Otter, who has already made official visits to Vietnam, Taiwan and Korea. The Idaho Statesman reports that Otter will be accompanied by 17 Commerce and Agriculture companies from a variety of industries.

The trip to a country that boasts the world's 11th largest economy includes stops in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In his two terms in office, Otter has made a focus of increasing Idaho's exports. Last year was a record-breaking year as global sales of Idaho products totaled more than $6.1 billion.

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