Gov. Jennifer Granholm plans to leave Monday for a trade trip to Germany and Belgium.

It will be the Democrat's eighth overseas trade trip. She plans to talk with leaders of high-tech companies she thinks can help Michigan move toward gaining jobs in green technology and alternative fuels, although her office hasn't provided specifics.

The governor has made previous trade trips to Germany, Austria, Japan, Sweden and the Middle East.

She'll be accompanied by officials from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and NextEnergy, a Detroit-based nonprofit that nurtures alternative and renewable energy uses.

Lt. Gov. John Cherry will be responsible for running the state in Granholm's absence.