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Statement of the Alabama state´s delegation that recently visit our country This is a historic event for the Alabama State Port Authority but also the City of Mobile has historic links with Cuba. Its founder, Diberville, is buried in Havana. In October 1993, the city of Mobile signed a Sister City Agreement and this upcoming October we will be celebrating its tenth anniversary. On the agreement between Alimport and Alabama State Port Authority, we have agreed to work jointly in the movement of bulk, breakbulk, refrigerated and containerized cargo via our terminal facilities. Also we have agreed to work with our legislature for the lifting of the travel ban and promote tourism via Air, Cruises, ferries, etc, between Mobile and Cuba. The key of this Agreement is the economic impact for Alabama and the surrounding region in the future. Currently, the only commodities that we can trade are those approved by OFAC. The current embargo is not only hurting Cuba but also the US Business Sector. Realistically speaking, with an open trade policy, our port, due to its strategic location in respect of Cuba, could have, on a conservative opinion, over 16 sailings a week transporting cargo. This represents; Third-party logistics companies establishing operations in Mobile New distribution center of one-million square foot or more Triple growth in air, trucking and rail services An economic impact of 4 billion USD or 80,000 jobs High paying jobs in the maritime community, i.e. ILA & Teamstres who provide services to carriers. Triple growth in our local economy We would like to acknowledge Crowley Liner Services; they have been the pioneers in the Cuba trade. They paved the way for other US carriers to call Cuba. Several individuals in Crowley are directly responsible; Tom Crowley Jr., Rinus Schaefen, Michael Hopkins and most of all, Jay Brickman. As a Cuban American, I implore from our Legislator to reexamine the current Cuba policy. With us on the mission headed by Commissioner Sparks is another Cuban American, Mr. Diego Jimenez, who negotiated the sale of 30 plus cattle embryos. As a Nation, we currently trade with China, Vietnam, where we lost 57 thousand lives, and with other countries whose form of government is different from ours. Up until recently, Mexico had a one-party rule. Cuba is 90 miles from our shores and it is time to bring down the barriers. The cold war is over; our Government should favor free travel and economic prosperity for both sides. Cuban Americans should have the freedom to visit their families not only once a year, but have the ability to visit their loved ones any time they desire to. At the same time, Americans should not have to travel via the back door. Several years ago an individual that we all have a tremendous respect for, and who has been my spiritual guide, visited Cuba: The Pope. He then said: “It is time for world to open its doors to Cuba and for Cuba to embrace the world.” To our legislators, as a Cuban American, I say it is time to reexamine those words and commence implementing them. To those Cuban American businesses that may have some apprehension or animosities in dealing with Cuba, you need to explore the Business opportunities available and start implanting the building blocks for our children’s children. You need to express your animosities from the past, but it is also time to move forward and come to terms and star the reconciliation process. Pedro I want to thank you from the bottom on my heart and I can assure you that our port will be the premier port in the Cuba Trade. The apostle Martí wrote a poem Cultivo una Rosa Blanca at this time I want to present to you white rose as a gesture of our friendship and the need to bring down barriers for generations to come. |
