Only first lady Roxanne Gilmore knows if husband Gov. Jim Gilmore is a romantic, but he’s one heck of a matchmaker.

Since taking office in 1998, Gilmore has been hooking up Virginia companies with suitors from all over the world. Gilmore’s latest foray into foreign affairs aims to introduce Chilean business leaders to Northern Virginia technology companies. This comes hot on the heels of similar love-fests with Egyptian and Irish dignitaries. A meeting with Israeli leaders is also on the cards. And, in June, Gilmore traveled to East Asia to meet with representatives from Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Gilmore is well-versed at playing cupid: He courted companies during similar missions to Brazil, Chile and Argentina in 1999 and to Germany and the United Kingdom in 1998. Virginia now has trade representatives in Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Seoul and Tokyo.

While the state’s high-tech companies have full dance cards, traditional industries such as transportation equipment, rubber and plastics, and industrial machinery and computers are also invited to the prom.

Gilmore’s overtures may be paying off: In 1999, 15 countries announced 55 investments in the state of Virginia. These were valued at $485 million and accounted for 4,223 jobs. And that’s a pretty sweet deal.