State group arrives in Cuba on Friday

May 24, 2007
State group arrives in Cuba on Friday

Another Alabama trade mission is scheduled to arrive in Cuba on Friday
with several legislators planning to accompany officials from the state
Department of Agriculture and Industries.

Department spokeswoman Christy Rhodes Kirk said the state-funded
delegation will assist Alabama companies in negotiations for the sale of
a variety of products, including poultry, lumber, utility poles, cotton,
peanuts, fish and snack foods.

Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks has led some trade missions in the
past, but Kirk said this one will be led by the department's director of
international trade, John Key.

She said several legislators are planning to attend, although the list
is subject to change due to last-minute developments in the Legislature.
The legislators are Rep. Jack Page, D-Gadsden, and Sens. Quinton Ross,
D-Montgomery; Kim Benefield, D-Woodland; Bobby Singleton, D-Greensboro;
Pat Lindsey, D-Butler; Wendell Mitchell, D-Luverne; and Rodger
Smitherman, D-Birmingham.

The legislators plan to return to Alabama on Monday to attend to their
legislative duties, but the remainder of the delegation will remain in
Cuba until June 1.

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