HAVANA, Cuba, Mar 27 (acn) A delegation of nine California legislators and 18 state officials announced a five-day trade mission to Cuba next week.

“With the federal government moving forward with efforts to normalize diplomatic, economic, and commercial relations, it is important for California to also engage with Cuba and expand economic relationships that create new opportunities for businesses in our state,” said California Assembly speaker Toni Atkins, Democrat from San Diego, who heads the delegation, as cited by the Los Angeles Times.

Atkins said that “The Assembly wants to do everything we can to create more jobs and business in California, and this trade delegation is one way to help California companies gain a competitive edge.”

The trip has been organized by the local Californians Building Bridges non-profit organization. Darius Anderson, member that group´s board of directors is also on the trip.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the mission will establish relations with policymakers, farmers, and agribusiness people.

Also on the trip is the office of Assembly Agriculture Committee Chairman Henry T. Perea, Democrat for Fresno; Assemblymen Luis Alejo, Democrat for Salinas; Jim Cooper, Democrat for Elk Grove; Adam Gray, Democrat for Merced; Jose Medina Democrat for Riverside; Bill Quirk, Democrat for Hayward; Rudy Salas Jr., Democrat for Bakersfield; and Tony Thurmond, Democrat for Richmond.