BOSTON (CBS) – He’s taken a lot of flack for his trips abroad, but it seems Governor Deval Patrick’s trade missions are bringing some business to Massachusetts.

The software firm Profitect said Patrick’s trip to Israel last March highlighted the close business ties between that country and the Commonwealth.

Profitect now plans to move its research and development to Massachusetts from Israel, which means that its staff here would grow 50-percent.

The governor and several local business executives begin a trip to South America Thursday, with stops in Chile and Brazil.

Brazil is the world’s seventh largest economy, and it’s a booming, sophisticated economy.

Patrick and his delegation are hoping to increase exports to that country especially in high-tech, bio-tech, and alternative energy – industries that Massachusetts is strong in.

Watch Lisa’s report:

Lisa van der Pool of the Boston Business Journal can be seen weekdays at 6 a.m. on WBZ-TV.