Keokuk, IA – Representatives of more than 50 countries are exploring trade opportunities in Southeast Iowa.
U.S. Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA) is escorting the delegates on a 5-day, 14-city tour.
This is his 11th Ambassadors' tour.
Grassley says he started the bi-annual event during the farm crisis of 1986 to try to enhance Iowa's image, globally, when its comes to importing and exporting.
Grassley says the tour has grown in popularity to the degree that countries now contact him so their representatives can attend.
The Senator says contracts and agreements have been signed during previous tours.
In Keokuk, the delegates learned about Roquette America and sampled the products made at its plant.
You can hear more with U.S. Senator Charles Grassley by clicking the audio link above.
Additional Information
* Grassley says every embassy in Washington is invited to send a delegate, but it is on a first come/first serve basis.
* The delegates stay with host families during the tour.
* Grassley says the tour is paid for by business and economic development leaders.