Bill Text: MS SC588 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Request MDA to develop trade relations with Cuba as authorized by state and federal law to make Mississippi primary trade partner.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2017-03-29 - Died In Committee [SC588 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2017-SC588-Introduced.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blackwell
Senate Concurrent Resolution 588
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO REQUEST THE MISSISSIPPI DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP AND IMPROVE TRADE RELATIONS WITH CUBA TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY STATE OR FEDERAL LAW, TO STUDY FUTURE TRADE OPPORTUNITIES BETWEEN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND CUBA IN ORDER TO MAKE MISSISSIPPI THE PRIMARY TRADE PARTNER AND MAKE A REPORT THEREON TO THE LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, Cuba, over the last five years, has imported nearly $15,000,000.00 worth of food and agricultural products from Mississippi annually, including approximately 127,000 tons of poultry products; and these amounts are expected to grow significantly in the coming years; and
WHEREAS, agriculture is the largest industry in Mississippi, and this state ranks among the top 30 states in overall value of agricultural exports at more than $573,000,000.00 annually over the last five years; thus, Mississippi is ideally positioned to benefit from the market opportunities that free trade with Cuba would provide; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature of Mississippi clearly recognizes the current financial climate in the state and the immediate need to develop and foster all beneficial economic opportunities; and
WHEREAS, the international commercial market routinely changes in conjunction with economic globalization, evolutions in technology, and perpetual legal and political factors; it is necessary to explore and cultivate international economic opportunities; and
WHEREAS, global production and distribution channels are of utmost importance to consumers and producers in addition to state and national economies; and
WHEREAS, the United States has recently taken steps to rebuild trade relations with Cuba by addressing longstanding regulations and restrictions imposed on Cuban trade, travel and carrier services, telecommunications, and financial industries; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi has historically been one of Cuba's most important and influential trade partners; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi is less than 650 miles from Cuba making it closer in distance than many of the state's existing domestic trade partners; and
WHEREAS, ports are crucial nodes in global supply chains, and the deep water access port in Mississippi are amount the most capable in the Western Hemisphere and should be utilized in a manner that will produce maximum economic advantage for the state and its citizens; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That the Legislature of Mississippi does hereby urge and request the Mississippi Development Authority to do the following:
(1) Develop and improve trade relations with Cuba to the extent the authority of the department is not restricted by state or federal law.
(2) Conduct a study analyzing all current and future opportunities to establish Mississippi as the predominant trade partner with Cuba in our region.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Legislature of Mississippi does hereby request that the Mississippi Development Authority make a written report of the findings of the study and submit the report to the Senate Economic Development Committee and the House Committee on Agriculture no later than December 1, 2017.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be transmitted to the Executive Director of the Mississippi Development Authority, the Minister Counselor, Economic Trade Office, Embassy of Cuba, and the Governor, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.
