BOSTON (AP) — Gov. Deval Patrick is heading out on a nine-day trade mission to Chile and Brazil to promote economic ties between Massachusetts and the South American nations.

Patrick was scheduled to leave Massachusetts on Wednesday to accompany a state delegation that includes business and academic leaders as well as government officials.

The delegation is scheduled to visit Chile on Thursday and Friday to promote partnership opportunities.

A larger delegation is scheduled to visit Brazil from Dec. 4-9 with stops in Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro to visit companies, universities and government agencies.

The mission will focus on creating jobs in the life sciences, information technology, clean energy and education sectors.

It’s not the first trade mission for Patrick, who has also led missions to Israel, Britain and China.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.