Ellison visits Turkey, Saudi Arabia on trade mission

Rep. Keith Ellison was in Turkey and Saudi Arabia over the last week with a delegation of business leaders, including the head of the Minnesota Trade Office. Ellison praised Turkey as a Muslim country that has a successful democracy, and he also said business relations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia continue to improve.

“Turkey is the best example of how Islam, democracy can coexist,” Ellison told the Turkish paper Today’s Zaman. He also praised Turkey for its early recognition of Israel and its diplomatic role in the conflict in Libya.

Ellison also made a trip to Saudi Arabia along with a delegation of business leaders from Minnesota.

“I was here last year leading a group of companies. In fact, one of those companies is here this time too, but not as part of this delegation. It has already set up its business here and is nurturing the business. So we have success stories,” Ellison said, according to Arab News.

“We are here to create relationships between Saudi Arabia and Minnesota, and we are hoping to connect Minnesota companies with Saudi companies,” said Katie Clark, executive director of the Minnesota Trade Office. “Most of the 10 companies are small and mid-size companies. We want to increase commerce between the two countries.”

Ellison added, “Both governments are aware of the fact that things should be made easier for the private sector to build trade ties — to boost economic activity for the benefit of our people. And so together we will prosper, and together we will grow. This is not just a one-year or two-year plan; this is a long-term plan, and it needs constant care. That is why these visits are important.”