AUSTIN (AP) - Gov. Rick Perry and his wife Anita are headed to Italy for an economic development mission.
The governor’s office said Friday that the Perrys will leave Sept. 4 and return Sept. 12.

The governor plans to meet with Italian business and government leaders. He also will participate in the 38th Annual Ambrosetti Intelligence on the World, Europe and Italy Forum.

Perry’s office says the trip is being paid for by the Ambrosetti Forum and TexasOne, a state economic development and marketing fund. It said no taxpayer dollars are being used for travel or accommodations.

Texas sent $1.3 billion in exports to Italy in 2011 including petroleum and coal products, electronics and chemical products. Over the last nine years, the state has received $424 million in foreign direct investment from Italy.

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