Lamont Signs Puerto Rico Trade Commission Bill

Gov. Ned Lamont has signed legislation designed to grow trade and businesses relationships between Connecticut and Puerto Rico.

HB 5008, which originated in the Commerce Committee, passed both the House and Senate unanimously and was co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of legislators.

The commission will consist of 23 appointments from the Governor, House and Senate leadership, and representation from Puerto Rico, a chamber of commerce, and a public institution of higher education.

Puerto Rico’s legislature must pass a parallel bill But before the commission can be formally established.

The commission will be tasked with several trade and business-oriented duties, including joint action on policy issues of mutual interest, promoting business and academic exchanges, encouraging investment in infrastructure and education, and gathering data that can better inform policymaking.

Connecticut is home to nearly 300,000 Puerto Ricans, employed across a wide variety of sectors and contributing to all levels of our education system.

The legislation is designed to build on relationships between political, business, and educational leaders in both Connecticut and Puerto Rico.

“This is a great step forward in continuing to grow our relationship with Puerto Rico, while providing more opportunities in business and education for the 300,000 or so Puerto Ricans living in Connecticut,” said CBIA’s Paul Amarone.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Paul Amarone (860.244.1978).