Hassan to Lead Trade Mission to Turkey

Gov. Maggie Hassan will lead a delegation of New Hampshire businesses on a trade mission to Turkey this June, her office announced this week.

New Hampshire businesses exported over $79 million in goods and services to Turkey in 2013. The state Department of Resources and Economic Development identified Turkey as a top place for a trade mission after conferring with companies in the Granite State.

Hassan's statement on the trip: "To keep New Hampshire’s economy growing and creating jobs, we are focused on helping our businesses enter new markets and making the Granite State a leader in selling our goods and services around the world. This trade mission will build on the progress that helped make New Hampshire the fastest-growing state for exports in 2013 by helping our businesses find new opportunities in Turkey’s growing market."

Jeff Rose, commissioner of the state Department of Resources and Economic Development, said Turkey is the state's 12th largest trading partner, and there is room for growth.

Rokon International Inc., a leading manufacturer of all-wheel drive motorcycles whose products are used by military personnel, missionaries, farmers and hunters around the world, is one of five companies that have already signed up for the trade mission, according to Hassan's office.

"At Rokon, we are always looking to find new markets abroad and joining the State of New Hampshire on this mission to Turkey is a great opportunity to increase exports and grow our business," Tom Blais, owner and CEO of Rokon, said in a press release on the trade mission.

For more information, visit www.exportnh.org or call Tina Kasim, program manager for the New Hampshire International Trade Resource Center at 271-8444.