Ga. governor heads 43-member trade mission to Cuba

[Judi Lynn]

Ga. governor heads 43-member trade mission to Cuba
By WILL WEISSERT
The Associated Press
Monday, June 7, 2010; 5:18 PM

HAVANA -- Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue met Monday with officials from Cuba's Chamber of Commerce and its food import company, part of a two-day visit to explore his state's trade and tourism possibilities here.

The Republican governor is leading a 43-member delegation that includes state lawmakers, port officials and representatives from agribusiness and the University of Georgia.

The meetings were "as much about building a relationship with (Cuban officials) as learning about the business environment there," spokesman Bert Brantley said.

Perdue's schedule did not include a meeting with President Raul Castro or his brother Fidel, who once regularly met with visiting U.S. politicians but has seen far fewer visitors since undergoing emergency intestinal surgery and disappearing from public view nearly four years ago.

Washington's 48-year-old embargo prohibits most trade between the two countries. But sales of American food and farm items to Cuba have been allowed since 2000, and the U.S. has been the island's top source of agricultural goods since 2004.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/07/AR2010060703300.html