NASHVILLE - Gov. Phil Bredesen and Economic and Community Development Commissioner Matt Kisber announced today they will travel to Germany and Spain this month to meet with officials from Volkswagen and potential Volkswagen suppliers.

The companies may have an interest in developing manufacturing or distribution facilities in Tennessee, they said.

Gov. Bredesen and Mr. Kisber will hold discussions in Berlin and Wolfsburg, Germany, then travel to Barcelona, Spain, according to a news release. The trip is from June 13-19.

"Since Volkswagen's announcement in 2008, we've focused our job creation efforts on maximizing the jobs created by that $1 billion investment," Gov. Bredesen said. "We're working to expand the ripple effect of that 'anchor project' across Tennessee's economy."

Volkswagen is building a $1 billion plant in Chattanooga and the state is working to attract the auto manufacturers' suppliers to Tennessee.

Germany is Tennessee's sixth-largest trading partner, having purchased more than $620 million in goods and services from Tennessee companies in 2009. Spain is Tennessee's 18th largest trading partner, purchasing more than $200 million in Tennessee goods and services.

The governor and Mr. Kisber also will be meeting with trade and business development officials in Spain, especially those focusing on clean energy. That trip comes, officials said, after Spanish Consul General Miguel Angel Fernandez de Mazarambroz met with Mr. Kisber to discuss potential trade openings between Tennessee and Spain in April.

While visiting Spain, the governor will hold talks with senior government officials from the Spanish state of Catalonia and from the Spanish Energy Ministry.

"Tennessee has developed a strong reputation in the development of solar and other renewable technologies," Commissioner Kisber said.

Revenue Commissioner Reagan Farr and Finance and Administration Commissioner Dave Goetz will also be going on the trip.