U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke says it is time the United States broadened its relationship with the world's Muslims through stronger economic partnerships.

U.S. President Barack Obama is hosting a  conference of more than 250 entrepreneurs from 50 countries, many with large Muslim populations, to encourage greater economic ties between the United States and the Muslim world.

Fulfilling a pledge he made in his Cairo speech to the Muslim world last June, President Obama invited to Washington successful business and social entrepreneurs to strengthen America's engagement with Muslim-majority countries. In a speech to the summit, Mr. Obama announced new programs designed to bring together entrepreneurs, so they can learn from one other.

"The United States is launching several new exchange programs," said President Obama. "We will bring business and social entrepreneurs from Muslim-majority countries to the United States and send their American counterparts to learn from your countries..Read More