Tennessee officials have been working to recruit more foreign businesses to the state.
Plans called for the state Department of Economic and Community Development to open an office in Seoul, South Korea, early this year in an effort to attract more Asian businesses.
Commissioner Randy Boyd told WPLN he has also planned to open an office in China and wants to open officers in Germany and Italy.
He said an office in Germany would give the state more access to that country's automotive industry and an office in Italy could recruit ceramic tile businesses.
Boyd said year-round recruiting offices have been more effective in attracting foreign businesses to the state than annual visits to other countries.
