Chobani CEO joins trade mission to Cuba led by Andrew Cuomo

19-Apr-2015 - Last updated on 20-Apr-2015 at 19:52 GMT

Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya has joined other business leaders on a trade mission to Cuba led by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo - the first governor-led state trade mission to Cuba since President Obama began the process to normalize diplomatic relations between the two countries.

According to Chobani, which is based in Norwich in upstate New York: “The mission is intended to open doors between our two countries with business being a driving force. Hamdi will meet with Cuban officials there and private citizens to share his view on the role entrepreneurs can and will play in shaping Cuba’s future.”

In a press release about the visit, Cuomo said the visit would “help ensure Empire State companies are at the front of the line as the door opens to a market that has been closed to U.S. enterprise for over half a century”.

He added: “These industry leaders will serve as ambassadors for all that New York State has to offer and will help form the foundation for a strong economic relationship between New York and Cuba as legal restrictions on trade are eased in the future.”

The trade mission – which departed on Monday April 20 - included representatives from air travel, health care, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, financial services, agriculture and higher education, and is part of Global NY, an initiative launched by Governor Cuomo in 2014.

The Global NY trade mission to Cuba will be the first of several trade mission destinations, including Canada, China, Israel and Mexico.