Montana Builds Global Partnerships

Here is another example of global partnership building, which I have been advocating over the past two years.

Representatives of nine nations agreed Friday to work toward closer economic ties with Montana, but a Japanese official stopped short of indicating when his country might end a restriction on imports of beef, a leading Montana product.

The international delegation is on a visit led by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont. He said the four days in Montana are part of an effort to build the relationships essential for broader trade opportunities.

At the Capitol, representatives of the state and the nine countries signed a "declaration of economic friendship and cooperation," stating their desire to advance relationships and seek closer economic connections. The countries are Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Taiwan, Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia.

More here.