New Hampshire's economy has yet to see tangible benefits from Gov. Maggie Hassan's trade trip to Turkey last year, which state officials and businesses say provided a solid footing for future deals.
Republicans are still critical of the Democratic governor's decision to lead the trip, which cost the state $15,000, after she imposed a ban on out-of-state travel.
Business representatives on the trip say the state matched them with companies and business leaders in Istanbul and Ankara that they couldn't have found on their own. Turkey is New Hampshire's 12th largest trading partner.
The Office of International Commerce is planning a trade trip to Colombia in October. Hassan isn't planning to attend.