Missouri delegation travels to Cuba

Missouri delegation travels to Cuba
May 30, 2016, 6:00am CDT

Gov. Jay Nixon is leading a group of Missourians representing
agriculture, business, education and government on a trade mission to
Cuba. The delegation will visit the island nation from May 29 to June 1.
The trade mission will focus on growing Missouri exports, especially
agricultural products, to the country.

Among St. Louisans represented on the trip are Thorstein Holt of Holtec
Gas Systems in Chesterfield and Jeffrey Fort, of MOM Brands Sales, a
division of St. Louis-based Post Holdings.

Other delagates include First Lady Georganne Nixon, Missouri Department
of Agriculture Director Richard Fordyce and Missouri Department of
Economic Development Director Mike Downing, Carlos Vargas, President of
Southeast Missouri State University; Gary Wheeler of the Missouri
Soybean Association; Silvia Hollis of Mid-Continent Aircraft in Hayti,
Missouri; Brady Moses of SatCommX in Lampe, Missouri; ; and several
representatives of Martin Rice Co. in Bernie, Missouri.

"Cuba represents a market of 11 million consumers that has been largely
untouched by U.S. exports for more than 55 years," Nixon said in a
statement. "Missouri is moving forward to take advantage of this
opportunity, particularly when it comes to rice, one of the staples of
the Cuban diet."

Cuba formerly was a significant export destination for Missouri-grown
rice, according to Nixon.

In addition to meeting with Cuban government officials in Havana, Gov.
Nixon will be briefed by Deputy Chief of Mission Scott Hamilton and
other officials at the U.S. Embassy on progress toward facilitating and
increasing trade between the U.S. and Cuba.

Travel costs for the Governor and First Lady will be covered by the
Hawthorn Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting
economic growth in Missouri.

Source: Missouri delegation travels to Cuba on trade mission - St. Louis
Business Journal -
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news/2016/05/30/missouri-delegation-travels-to-cuba.html