Connecticut will establish a Puerto Rican Trade Commission under a new law passed by the General Assembly during the 2025 legislative session.
House Bill 5008 is intended to promote economic growth, cultural exchange, and educational collaboration by fostering trade, investment, and bilateral partnerships between the two regions.
Sen. Herron Keyon Gaston, D-Bridgeport, co-sponsored the bill and said he was proud to support the legislation as he represents a big Puerto Rican community in his district.
“Bridgeport is home to a vibrant Puerto Rican community that has contributed immensely to our state’s culture, economy, and spirit,” Gaston said. “As we work to create the Connecticut-Puerto Rico Trade Commission, I am proud to help strengthen the vital bonds we share with Puerto Rico. We will work to advance the economic opportunities, foster cultural exchange, and deepen our mutual support while ensuring that the voices of Connecticut’s Puerto Rican population are heard in shaping the future of this important partnership.”
This bill will establish a 23-member Connecticut-Puerto Rico Trade Commission. The commission will advance bilateral trade and investment, initiate joint action on policy issues of mutual interest, promote business and academic exchanges, and encourage mutual economic support and infrastructure investment.
Connecticut is home to nearly 300,000 Puerto Rican residents, according to Werner Oyanadel, Puerto Rico and Latino policy director at the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors, Equity, and Opportunity. In written testimony submitted to the legislature’s Commerce Committee, Oyanadel said Connecticut had the largest per capita Puerto Rican population in the nation.
“In times of crisis, such as Hurricane Maria in 2017, Connecticut has stood by Puerto Rico, assisting displaced families and advocating for federal relief. However, long-term economic solutions are necessary to create sustainable opportunities for investment, economic growth, and policy alignment,” Oyanadel said. “The establishment of a trade commission dedicated to Connecticut-Puerto Rico relations would provide a structured approach to fostering these opportunities and strengthening our shared future.”
The commission is expected to begin its work by November.
