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Senator Baucus Secures Major Partnership to Train Montana Students for High-Tech Jobs

Senator Successfully Presses Global Technology Heavy-Hitter to Come to Montana, Invest in Jobs for the Future

(Berlin, Germany) – Montana’s senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus has successfully convinced top executives at global technology leader, Siemens PLM Software http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/ , to send company representatives to Montana this fall to invest in Montana’s higher education programs in manufacturing, science, engineering and business. Baucus is currently working to expand Montana business opportunities while on a trade mission to the European Union – Montana’s third largest trading partner.

During top level meetings with Siemens officials in Berlin, Germany, Baucus urged the international leader in energy and technology to work with him on ways to support high-tech jobs in the state while also investing in higher education opportunities for Montana students.

"Good-paying jobs for Montana’s future hinge upon opportunities like this. And, when folks from Siemens are in Montana this fall – I’m going to keep pressing them to look for ways they can invest in our dynamic technology and manufacturing sectors," said Baucus. "Manufacturing has been a bright spot for Montana throughout this tough economy. By gaining intelligence and know-how from Siemens, which has nearly 300 manufacturing locations worldwide, we can do even more to maximize high-tech manufacturing jobs in Montana."

Siemens PLM Software Chief Executive Officer Chuck Grindstaff announced the decision to arrange the large software grant in a meeting with Baucus today at Siemens’ offices in Berlin, Germany. The in-kind software grant has a commercial value of $65.2 million. Company representatives are now planning to visit Montana this fall to arrange a large grant of Siemens PLM software to one or more Montana educational institutions through the company’s Global Opportunities in PLM (GO PLM) Program.

Montana Commissioner of Higher Education Clayton Christian described the commitment as great for the development of scientific and high-tech job opportunities in Montana. "The technology sector is a tremendously important piece of our state economy," Christian said. "Many private-sector businesses and jobs in our state trace their existence or success to the $200 million worth of competitive research conducted annually on university campuses in Montana. The fact that Siemens PLM Software sees the potential here is a compliment to what we’re accomplishing in Montana."

The GO PLM Program works to develop the next generation of United States scientists, engineers, and business leaders who can address the world’s technological challenges. An in-kind grant of Siemens PLM Software to Montana educators will help students in Montana become proficient with the product design and development technology that is used by many of the world’s leading manufacturing, architectural and construction companies.

Baucus is currently working to open E.U. markets to Montana pork and beef products while building momentum toward a job-creating free trade agreement between the U.S. and the E.U. In addition to meetings at Siemens’ headquarters in Berlin, Baucus will meet with European Commission President Manuel Barroso and top trade and Finance Ministers.

The United States and the E.U. share the largest trade and investment relationship in the world. Despite the global economic downturn, the combined U.S. and EU economies account for more than 40 percent of global gross domestic product, 40 percent of world trade in goods and services, 60 percent of world foreign direct investment flows, and 60-70 percent of global banking assets and financial services.

Montana and the EU:

· The E.U. is Montana’s 3rd largest export partner after Canada and Korea.

· Montana exported $206 million in goods to E.U. 2011.

· Montana exported $19 million to Spain in 2011.

· Montana exported $43 million to Germany in 2011.

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