(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he has signed into law legislation recently approved by the Connecticut General Assembly requiring the establishment of the Connecticut-Puerto Rico Trade Commission.
“Economic growth cannot happen in a bubble, and there remains untapped potential to mutually benefit economic and business partnerships between Connecticut and Puerto Rico,” Governor Lamont said. “By collaborating with the business community and those in Connecticut’s strong Puerto Rican community, this commission has the potential to develop the forward-thinking steps that improve trade and investment between our state and Puerto Rico.”
The 23-member commission, which will begin meeting this fall, will be responsible for developing and recommending policy and legislative changes that advance bilateral trade and investment between Connecticut and Puerto Rico, while also promoting business and academic exchanges, encouraging mutual economic support and infrastructure investment, and initiating joint action on policy issues of mutual interest. The group will be required to submit a report to the governor and the legislature annually.
House Deputy Speaker Chris Rosario (D-Bridgeport) championed passage of the legislation.
“I want to sincerely thank Governor Ned Lamont for signing this legislation I introduced to establish the Connecticut-Puerto Rico Trade Commission,” Representative Rosario said. “With nearly 300,000 Puerto Ricans calling Connecticut home, this is a natural partnership that promises new opportunities for collaboration and shared prosperity.”
“Establishing a Connecticut-Puerto Rico Trade Commission is a powerful opportunity to strengthen our trades and manufacturing sector,” State Representative Geraldo Reyes Jr. (D-Waterbury) said. “By building direct partnerships with Puerto Rico, we can expand skilled workforce pipelines, increase the flow of goods and materials, and open new markets for Connecticut-made products. This collaboration will drive innovation, economic growth, and good-paying jobs for both regions.”
Appointments to the commission will be made by the top six bipartisan legislative leaders, the co-chairs and ranking members of the legislature’s Commerce Committee, and the governor. The commission will serve as a function of the General Assembly, and the chairperson of the legislature’s Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, in consultation with the Office of Legislative Management, will be responsible for appointing administrative staff to support the commission’s work.
The members serve as volunteers and are not compensated for their service.
The legislation is Public Act 25-13, An Act Establishing the Connecticut-Puerto Rican Trade Commission. It went into effect immediately upon receiving Governor Lamont’s signature.