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Agricultural
cooperation between Cuba and Canada to increase
HAVANA, September 15 (NOTIMEX).—The ministers of
agriculture of Cuba and Canada have signed an
Agreement of Understanding to develop actions of
mutual cooperation in different areas, the Cuban
embassy in Ottawa announced today.
The signing of the agreement came in the
framework of a visit by a Cuban trade delegation
headed by Pedro Alvarez, president of the food
import enterprise Alimport, from September 11-14,
added the source in a communiqué.
Since December 2001, Alvarez has been directing
the purchase of foodstuffs from the United States
and his visit to Canada would seen to be an effort
to increase trade relations with that North American
country.
Purchases from U.S. companies are showing a
tendency to decline after the George W. Bush
government ruled that Cuba has to pay for the
merchandise before the ships transporting them can
leave U.S. ports for the island.
The agreement was signed by Ambassadors Ernesto
A. Sentí (Cuba) and Alexandra Bugailiskis (Canada).
In response to an invitation from the Canadian
Department of Agriculture, Alvarez met with the
deputy ministers of agriculture and international
trade, Andrew Marsland and Robert Dery, respectively.
He likewise had talks with the presidents of the
wheat, grains, dairy, poultry and food marketing
corporations.
One of the subjects covered in the meetings was
Canada’s participation in the Havana Trade Fair,
which takes place from October 31 through November
5.
The source stated that important Canadian
agencies are to display their products and negotiate
contracts with Alimport and other Cuban enterprises.
The communiqué added that "the will to increase
trade relations between Cuba and Canada on the basis
of the quality and competitiveness of the products
to be exchanged has been ratified in a climate of
friendship and mutual interest." |
