Cuba and Arkansas to Strengthen Bonds Limited by the Blockade

HAVANA, Cuba, Jun 27 (acn) Cuba and the US state of Arkansas expressed today in this capital their interest in strengthening trade links, hampered by the permanence of the U.S. blockade against the island.

In a business forum on the occasion of the visit of a delegation of that territory, led by its Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, Maria de la Luz B'Hamel, director for North America at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment, remarked the existing restrictions to the development of normal bilateral ties.
Arkansas is an important state for Cuba, with all the conditions to create stable and long-term bonds, the official said, while calling to continue working for an end to the difficulties affecting the progress of these economic relations.
She stressed that lifting the blockade would allow to increase business in sectors such as agriculture, by eliminating existing restrictions making U.S. products less competitive, because the Cuban nation must buy them under onerous conditions.
B'Hamel insisted that the executive measures issued by regulatory entities of U.S. trade are still insufficient.
Accompanied by Dan Hendrix, president and CEO of the World Trade Center Arkansas, promoter of the mission, Ward said his has been one of the main states to boost relations with Cuba.
While highlighting the interest in promoting exchanges in areas such as agriculture, in which his territory has extensive experience, the official said they hope to have a fruitful week on the island, in order to further strengthen mutually beneficial relations.
Hendrix added the commitment of World Trade Center Arkansas to better unite the institutions of both parties and make progress to increase trade.
At the meeting it was stressed that this trade mission fulfills the agreement signed between that entity and the World Trade Center Havana, during the visit to Cuba in September 2015 of Asa Hutchinson, governor of Arkansas, the first of an official of his rank after the reestablishment of diplomatic relations.
The forum included a presentation of the legal framework for foreign investment in Cuba and its portfolio of opportunities.
Composed of representatives of the academic and biotech fields, the delegation will tour during its stay the Special Development Area of Mariel, as it was known at the meeting, in which Omar Fernandez, secretary general of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce and the World Trade Center Havana also participated.