Entrepreneurs of Ohio Explore Business Opportunities in Cuba

HAVANA, Cuba, Oct 16 (acn) Ohio State entrepreneurs explore in this capital the business opportunities that exist in Cuba to encourage bilateral trade, especially for a possible future scenario of no blockade against the island.

The mission, which arrived in the Caribbean nation on Wednesday led by Congressman Tim Ryan, held a meeting on Thursday with Cuban representatives in order to identify the potential of both territories in key sectors such as tourism, construction, agribusiness and health.
At the meeting, held at the capital's Melia Cohiba Hotel, Maria de la Luz B'Hamel, director for North America of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment, said there are ample opportunities to strengthen trade between the two countries, which could be concreted if the policy maintained by the U.S. government against Cuba ceased.
The business sector is crucial in future decisions by the U.S. Congress with regard to the blockade, the main obstacle to the normalization of relations, she pointed out.
Your presence in Cuba, she said, is already a sign of the interest of many entrepreneurs of the northern nation to have closer ties with the Caribbean island, always on the basis of mutual respect.
Luis M. Alcalde, a Cuban-American lawyer living in the southern state, ratified on behalf of the members of the delegation the interest to know and learn everything they can about Cuba to boost bilateral trade for the welfare of the two peoples.
In addition, he stressed his wish and that of his colleagues that the U.S. Congress lifts the blockade maintained against Cuba for over 50 years, which prevents two territories from benefiting from the fruits joint ventures can generate.
Speaking to the press, the lawyer commented that as part of the program of visit to the island they toured the Special Development Zone of Mariel on Thursday morning, while on Wednesday they met with representatives of the U.S. Embassy to Havana.
Scheduled for Friday are bilateral meetings with Cuban authorities in areas of common interest such as tourism, the creation of logistical and transport infrastructure, and health and agribusiness, among others.
Since December 17, 2014, when the intentions of both governments to reestablish diplomatic relations were announced, many delegations from the northern nation have traveled to the island, among which the recent visit of Secretary of Commerce Penny Pitzker stands out.