(a) The Office of the Governor is authorized to foster the growth of

(1) trade between Alaska and foreign countries; and

(2) international trade within the state and administer Alaska foreign offices.

(b) The governor shall maintain foreign offices, including an office located in Tokyo, Japan and Seoul, Republic of Korea. The foreign offices shall serve as outlets for information related to economic development, resources, and trade and as contact points for government and private industry of Alaska and the Pacific Rim nations of Asia and other foreign countries to promote and maintain trade between the state and those countries.

(c) The governor shall staff the foreign offices with persons the governor selects based on their experience, training, and linguistic ability. The governor shall solicit ideas from the legislature regarding desirable staff qualifications and its recommendations of persons to staff the offices. The governor may hire additional personnel as necessary.

(d) The governor shall direct all state agencies, and request the federal government and private industry, to provide necessary reports, brochures, and information requested by the governor.

(e) The governor shall prepare a report annually on the activities and accomplishments of the Office of the Governor under this section and notify the legislature that the report is available.

(f) The expenses of operating the activities of the Office of the Governor under this section, including its foreign offices, shall be included in appropriations made to the Office of the Governor.