A delegation of European businesspeople will reportedly visit North Korea in mid-September to discuss trade and investment opportunities.

Radio Free Asia said that the delegation, led by the Dutch consulting firm “GPI Consultancy,” will visit the North from September eleventh to the 18th.

GPI Consultancy founder Paul Tjia told Radio Free Asia Wednesday that although it is regrettable that political tensions have mounted on the Korean Peninsula, he believes continued exchanges with the North, rather than sanctions, are necessary. He said his company is seeking out firms that might be interested in visiting the North this fall.

He added that during the European delegation’s stay in the North, it will attend a product exhibition in Pyongyang that opens September 13th.

The delegation, comprised of firms from various European countries, first visited the North in September 2008. In September of last year, a dozen Dutch entrepreneurs also visited Pyongyang.