Reynolds on trade mission to India with state officials, cost unknown

(The Center Square) - Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds left Tuesday on a 10-day trip to India along with Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority Director Debi Durham, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.

The cost of the trip or how it is funded is not known. A spokesperson for the governor's office told The Center Square on Tuesday to ask the Iowa Department of Management.

The Iowa Department of Management said the office does not have the information, but the governor's office should be able to help provide it.

Another phone call and email to the governor's office asking about the cost of the trip were not immediately returned.

The trip was organized by "the Iowa Economic Development Authority with support from the U.S. Embassy in Delhi and U.S. Consulate in Mumbai," a news release from the governor's office said.

The itinerary includes stops in Delhi and Mumbai, according to the news release. Reynolds is also a keynote speaker at the U.S.-India Business Council’s 49th India Ideas Summit, it said.

Reynolds is joined by other agriculture and business leaders, according to the governor's office.

“With India’s tremendous growth and massive consumer market, this trade mission is an excellent opportunity to promote Iowa as an investment destination for Indian companies—particularly those in advanced manufacturing, biotech, finance, and insurance—and a strong trade partner in agricultural exports,” Reynolds said.

The governor will "handle her duties as head of state while she's away," a spokesperson for Reynolds told The Center Square.