Georgia business leaders to seek opportunities in agriculture, medical,
telecom and tourism industries
ATLANTA (June 4, 2010) – Governor Sonny Perdue will lead a 43-person
delegation in a business mission to explore trade and tourism
opportunities with Cuba, the Governor's office announced today. The
group will leave for Havana Sunday, June 6 and return to Georgia
Tuesday, June 8.
"Our intent with this mission is to develop relationships that can bring
more business for our companies and for the state," said Governor
Perdue. "The global accessibility we can provide through the Georgia
Ports and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport already
position Georgia as a prime trade partner for Cuba, and open other
economic development opportunities for us as well."
Industry leaders accompanying the Governor include prominent
representatives of the Georgia Poultry Foundation, Georgia Agribusiness
Council, Georgia Dairy Farmer, Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Center of
Innovation for Agriculture. State officials from the departments of
Agriculture and Economic Development will participate as well as Dr.
Scott Angle, Dean and Director of UGA's College of Agricultural &
Environmental Sciences, and Curtis Foltz, Executive Director of the
Georgia Ports Authority. Legislators with the mission include Sen. Don
Balfour, Sen. Tommie Williams, and Rep. Terry England. A number of
business leaders from private industry will also accompany the Governor.
Governor Perdue will lead the group in a business roundtable with
Alimport, Cuba's primary purchasing agency for commodities, on June 7.
The Governor will also meet with senior officials from the Ministry of
Foreign Relations and other Cuban government leaders. Group activities
include a visit to the Latin American School of Medicine, which trains
international students to become healthcare providers in impoverished
areas outside Cuba.
Cuba's primarily agricultural economy and the accessibility of the
Georgia's ports has already stimulated significant trade activity with
Georgia. Year-to-date, Georgia ranks third among U.S. states in
exporting to Cuba, with exports up 141 percent from last year. Georgia's
top exports to Cuba include poultry, soybeans, pork, sausage and
margarine. Cuba has also had significant growth in industries including
medicines & medical equipment and telecommunications, which are also
areas of strategic focus for Georgia.
The mission will also promote Georgia's advantages for Cuban tourism and
raise awareness of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport as
the nation's foremost gateway to the Americas. Also, Georgia's deep
experience in tourism enables companies in the state to supply guidance
and products to support Cuba's own growing tourism industry.
Georgia's other ties with Cuba include a number of cultural and business
resources serving the Cuban community in the state. The Georgia
Department of Agriculture has previously led missions Cuba to represent
the state at the Havana Expo and explore other trade opportunities.
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