St. Cloud, Waite Park leaders among Gov. Walz European trade mission

Times staff report
·2 min read

ST. PAUL — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz returned from a European trade mission Saturday that included St. Cloud leaders among his delegation.

The weeklong trade mission to the United Kingdom and Finland was made by Walz and a state delegation that included representatives from around 50 Minnesota businesses and organizations, focused on promoting Minnesota business opportunities.

St. Cloud State University Associate Vice President of Center for International Studies Shahzad Ahmad, Waite Park’s Kaah Transportation President Mohamed Farah and St. Cloud State University President Robbyn Wacker were among the delegation.

“We are returning home from a productive trade mission where we shared our message with our partners in Europe: Minnesota is an outstanding place to do business and increase trade,” Walz said in a news release.

St. Cloud State University President Robbyn Wacker points to cheering alumni at the dedication of Husky Plaza Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019.
St. Cloud State University President Robbyn Wacker points to cheering alumni at the dedication of Husky Plaza Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019.

The mission focused on promoting Minnesota business opportunities including medical technology and health, environmental technologies, agriculture, food and higher education. Walz also attended a remembrance ceremony at Brookwood American Cemetery in the United Kingdom where 27 World War I soldiers from Minnesota are buried, according to a tweet by Walz. He also met with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö.

The delegation included First Lady Gwen Walz, Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Commissioner Steve Grove, Minnesota Department of Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen and Minnesota Trade Office representatives.

More than 70 U.K.-based companies operate at more than 180 Minnesota business locations, according to the release. More than 60 Minnesota companies operate at around 150 business locations in the U.K. Trade between Minnesota and Finland in 2020 was valued at $58 million in goods, the release states.

“Minnesota is a great place to do business. Our goal is to share that message with the world, strengthening trade with our partners in Europe while expanding economic opportunity for businesses and families here in Minnesota,” Walz said in a governor’s office news release prior to the mission.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: St. Cloud, Waite Park leaders among Gov. Walz European trade mission