South Dakota Governor Rounds to lead economic development trip to Geneva

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds will lead a delegation of government officials from several states to Geneva, Switzerland, next month on an economic development mission.

The Governor is president of the Council of State Governments, which is paying for the June 5-11 trip.

The delegation will visit the World Trade Organization headquarters in Geneva. WTO negotiates international trade agreements and enforces trade rules.

“Talks with World Trade Organization officials will give us an opportunity to discuss ways of increasing export opportunities, as well as the impact of WTO rules on state economic development strategies,” Gov. Rounds said.

Also on the agenda in Geneva is the Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). CERN is one the world’s largest and most-respected laboratory centers for fundamental physics.

“Scientific research and discoveries are important aspects of economic development,” Gov. Rounds said. “I hope we see participation someday by CERN scientists in research being conducted at the Sanford Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory at Homestake.”

The nonpartisan Council of State Governments has a membership that includes every elected and appointed state and territorial official in the United States. CSG was formed to foster an exchange of information and ideas that help state officials shape public policy.

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