New York, September 26 (RHC)-- New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, seeking to expand his state’s relationship with Cuba, met on Friday with Cuban President Raúl Castro, for the first time, the governor’s office said.

According to The New York Times, Governor Cuomo, along with Howard Zemsky, one of his top economic advisers, met with the Cuban president and some of his advisers at the Cuban Mission to the United Nations.

The governor traveled to Havana in April for a brief trade mission, an effort he hoped would pave the way for New York companies to expand into Cuba. He traveled with other political leaders and business executives from the state. JetBlue, Chobani Yogurt and Cayuga Milk Ingredients were among the companies represented on the trip.

U.S. companies face many challenges in doing business in Cuba, but Cuomo seemed undeterred during his trip to the island. The Democratic governor has said he wants to find ways to help New York take advantage of the emerging Cuban market.

Andrew Cuomo was the first United States governor to visit Cuba since President Obama late last year announced plans to ease diplomatic relations with the island nation.

During the meeting on Friday, the delegations discussed economic development and had follow-up discussion about Cuomo’s trip to Havana.