FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- Gov. Steve Beshear is traveling to Europe for business meetings aimed at creating more jobs for Kentucky.

The governor's office said Wednesday that Beshear has meetings planned in Germany and France to tout the bluegrass state's business climate. Another goal of the trip is to strengthen ties with European companies already operating in Kentucky.

Kentucky opened an office in Hamburg, Germany, last summer. Beshear plans to follow up on several business opportunities developed from the state's presence there.

Direct foreign investment coming into Kentucky totaled more than $28.2 billion in 2007, the most recent data available. Germany ranked second in foreign investment, behind Japan. France ranked fourth.

Beshear says he'll tout the state's infrastructure, workforce and incentive programs.

Kentucky has more than 400 foreign-owned facilities employing nearly 76,000 workers.