PROVIDENCE, R.I. � Governor Chafee, Gov.-elect Gina Raimondo, the state�s Congressional delegation and others expect to announce details Thursday morning about five international companies that are interested in establishing a presence in Rhode Islan

PROVIDENCE, R.I. � Governor Chafee, Gov.-elect Gina Raimondo, the state�s Congressional delegation and others expect to announce details Thursday morning about five international companies that are interested in establishing a presence in Rhode Island, according to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation.

The announcement is the result of relationships built �between Governor Chafee and international partners in Europe� that began with the trade mission that Chafee took in April to Italy and Ireland, according to the Commerce Corporation, which is the agency charged with creating jobs and improving the state�s economy

�This is another step in the right direction from this trade mission,� spokeswoman Melissa Czerwein told The Providence Journal after the agency issued a statement announcing an 11 a.m. news conference at the State House Thursday.

Also expected at the news conference is GTECH Corp. Chairman Donald Sweitzer, whom Czerwein said joined Chafee on the trade mission, and representatives from international companies.

Czerwein said she could not share more details Wednesday.