ND official praises Colombia trade mission

BISMARCK, N.D. -- North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring says the state's first trade mission to Colombia in four years shows promise for a long and profitable trade relationship with the South American nation.

Goehring and other members of the trade delegation returned from Colombia on Sunday. He says the trip was the beginning of a new effort to make North Dakota a main supplier of products to Colombia.

The agriculture commissioner says the trade mission identified a number of new trade opportunities for North Dakota businesses.

The delegation met with potential buyers in Colombia's two largest cities, Bogota and Medellin. The delegation included representatives of six North Dakota companies, the North Dakota Trade Office, the state Agriculture Department and the U.S. Commercial Service.