Ellison heading to Saudi Arabia for Minn. trade mission

Rep. Keith Ellison announced a trip to Saudi Arabia with Minnesota companies for a trade mission to boost business relations abroad. Ellison will travel April 4-8 along with the Minnesota Trade Office to meet with business and government leaders.

The mission is led by the U.S. Saudi Arabian Business Council. According to Ellison's news release, Minnesota companies exported more than $66 million in manufactured goods to the country in 2008. That's a 32 percent increase from 2007.

"Minnesota companies recognize the expanding range of business opportunities that exist in the Kingdom for U.S. firms," Ellison stated in the release. "They are eager to cooperate with Saudi business partners to bring cutting edge Minnesota products and technology to them."

Here are the companies participating in the mission:
Hormel Institute for cancer research (associated with the Mayo Clinic)
United Health Insurance
Equaris
Watermark Initiative
Thor Construction
Nystrom Inc.
Tandem
Aqua Sales
Faegre & Benson
Nilfisk-Advance
Phygen Coatings