Trade negotiation round underway with U.S. business sector

BY ALEXIS SCHLACTER—Granma daily staff writer—

Despite U.S. government restrictions imports of foodstuffs from that country have continued throughout 2004.

That was announced at the International Conference center by Pedro Alvarez Borrego, president of ALIMPORT, at the opening of a new round of Cuba-US trade negotiations, coinciding with the third anniversary of the first shipment of merchandise from the northern nation to our country after 40 years.

Participating in the meeting, which goes on until Friday, are 343 U.S. entrepreneurs from 166 companies in 30 states plus Washington DC and Puerto Rico.

According to the ALIMPORT president, the complex payment mechanism via banks in third countries, given the non-existence of direct banking relations, has provoked Cuban financial losses amounting to more than $11 million, as well as the delay of ships and containers in ports through not receiving merchandise on time.

He stressed the need for Cuba-U.S. trade to be two-way and for the opening of a space for exports from the island. For its part, Cuba will continue honoring its commitments. To date cash payments, all on time, amount to $974.78 million and close to four million metric tons have been imported via 425 voyages/ships.

U.S. figures to speak during the opening session included Max Baucus, senator for Montana; Patty Judge, Iowa agricultural secretary; Robert Spear, Maine agricultural secretary; and Terry Coleman, speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives.

All of them were agreed on the positive nature of trade encounters such as this as a means of improving Cuban-U.S. relations, and advocated the lifting of current restrictions on bilateral trade, family remittances and visits by U.S. citizens to the island.

The activity included the signing of contracts and letters of intent, and the announcement of an official document from the governor of Maine, John E. Baldacci, proclaiming December 15 as Maine-Cuba Trade day.