Cuomo plans Cuba trade trip

ALBANY -- Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo is planning to go to Cuba this year to promote trade with New York, officials said Saturday.

"As part of the Global NY initiative, Governor Cuomo plans to lead a trade mission to Cuba," Cuomo communications director Melissa DeRosa said in a statement.

Cuomo formally will announce the trip as part of his State of the State address Wednesday.

Previously, Cuomo has said he intends to take several international trade trips during his second term, including going to China, Italy and Mexico.

The Democrat, re-elected in November, has said the trips are intended to tout Empire State commerce.

But political observers have said the governor also wants to raise his national profile.

Cuomo would be one of the first high-profile officials to go to Cuba since President Barack Obama eased travel and trade restrictions with the communist-ruled island nation last month.

No date was immediately announced.