Rani Engineering is becoming known around the world, thanks to Susan Park Rani’s participation in Gov. Mark Dayton’s trade missions. In June, she was among a 35-member group of business, education and government officials who visited Germany, Sweden and Norway. Last year, she was selected as part of a trade mission to China.
The European trade mission showcased Minnesota as an outstanding place to do business, raised the profile of Minnesota companies and provided important networking opportunities for the delegates. The group visited business centers in Berlin, Dusseldorf/Cologne, Oslo and Stockholm and met with business leaders and government officials.
Following the trade mission, Dayton announced that Minnesota will open a trade office in the Dusseldorf-Cologne region of Germany. Opening international trade offices is a proven strategy for improving Minnesota’s economic competitiveness. In 2005, when Minnesota opened its first office in Shanghai, its exports to China increased 71 percent during the first year. German companies have already invested $1.4 billion in plants, property and equipment in Minnesota and employ 9,000 Minnesotans.
