BATON ROUGE (AP) — Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is leading a 94-member trade mission to Cuba.
The goal of the weeklong trip is to begin the agreements that will lead to Louisiana exporting rice, poultry and grains to the communist nation.
President Barack Obama recently eased dealings with the country after a half-century of tense relations.
The Advocate’s Mark Ballard reports the mission, which leaves Tuesday, includes officials from Louisiana export facilities, rice growers, shipping businesses and bankers. The state economic development department will be represented, and six state legislators are going.
Strain expects up to $400 million in Louisiana trade with the island nation within a few years.
