The Department of Economic Development is hosting a series of missions and trade shows in Cuba, Germany and Turkey to tighten trade relations.

Georgia already exports agriculture products to Cuba. In July, Sonny Perdue visited the island nation and opened the door for the telecommunications industry. This weekend, officials will return from Cuba after exploring the potential for that market.

LaRhonda Jackson, with the department says upcoming missions and trade shows will show off the state’s businesses.

“Georgia has several strategic industries which we call strategic because they’ve been identified as areas for potential growth or high potential growth in the state. We like to include a lot of companies that fall in those industries on the missions we do internationally.”

Georgia leads U.S. states in exports to Turkey according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Jackson says the prospect of Turkey’s entry into the European Union makes trade more valuable and attractive to Georgia Companies.

Representatives will also attend a medical trade show in Germany later this month.

Tags: Cuba, Georgia companies, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Turkey, Germany, International Trade