Two Iowa lawmakers leading trade mission to Cuba

Two Iowa lawmakers leading trade mission to Cuba
16 hours ago • By Rod Boshart

DES MOINES | Two Democratic state legislators announced Thursday they
will lead a delegation visiting Cuba next week looking to form
relationships between Cuba and Iowa in order to open up options for
potential future trade.

Sen. Steve Sodders, D-Marshalltown, and Rep. Kirsten Running-Marquardt,
D-Cedar Rapids, said they will be meeting with representatives from the
Cuban government and business leaders to focus on fostering new business
opportunities between Iowa and Cuba.

The four-day trade mission beginning next Tuesday also will include
representatives of economic development, tourism, and trade interests.
The timing will allow the two state legislators to be back in Iowa in
time for the Jan. 11 start of the Iowa General Assembly's 2016 session.

"These meetings in Cuba are part of ongoing efforts to improve
relationships with this emerging new market located just off the coast
of the United States," said Sodders, vice chairman of the Senate
Economic Growth Committee. "Iowans create many products which could find
a market in Cuba. Expanded trade can bring benefits to the people of
both countries."

Sodders and Running-Marquardt will be joined by Carlos Portes, a former
ambassador for Latin America. Portes – who came to the U.S. at the age
of 9 and was raised by a Marshalltown family -- later was appointed
Special Ambassador for Latin American affairs by President Jimmy Carter.

"These meetings will be an opportunity to showcase Iowa and develop
future economic growth, as well as build key relationships, " said
Running-Marquardt, ranking member of the House economic development
budget subcommittee. "The United States military has made this next step
possible. Without their sacrifice we would not be able to move forward
to build peaceful and beneficial relationships between Iowa and Cuba."

During last session, Sodders introduced a resolution approved by the
Iowa Senate that promoted efforts to develop support for an enhanced
trade relationship between Iowa and Cuba.

Source: Two Iowa lawmakers leading trade mission to Cuba -
http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/two-iowa-lawmakers-leading-trade-mission-to-cuba/article_d10e2592-43b1-5d6a-86bd-a4130b705157.html