|
The cost of an arbitrary policy
If
the joint enterprise, Havana Club Internacional, had
been able to sell its rum in the U.S. market, it
would have made over 100 million dollars in the
period from March 2013 to 2014. This figure is just
one of the many that encompass the losses Cuba has
suffered over the years thanks to the arbitrary
policy of the blockade.
The
U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade on
Cuba has caused, during the past year, losses of
over 102 million dollars to the Ministry of Food
Industry (MINAL) alone, as was stated in a press
conference held October 9.
Betsy Díaz Velázquez, vice minister of MINAL, noted
that this income could have served to improve
industry and produce more varied and better quality
goods. She highlighted the losses in exports of
goods and services, the implications for production
and the increased costs due to the restrictions on
trade.
Antonio Guerra, director of the export company,
Caribez, explained that Cuba is unable to export its
fishing produce to the United States, a market which
could consume almost the entire stock, especially
with regards to lobster tails and prawns, which are
duty free there. Meanwhile,
having been "forced" to
trade with other countries
where these
products
are taxed, Caribex has lost close to
half a million dollars.
Juan
González Escalona, president of the Cuban Rum
Corporation and the joint venture Havana Club
Internacional, referred to
the severe effects of the blockade
in this sector, “The international
market for
premium brands of
rum
reached an estimated 45
million cases in 2013, of
which approximately 40%
were consumed
by the United States.
Havana Club
is the
leading
premium rum
in several countries including
Germany, Italy, the UK,
Switzerland,
Peru,
Bolivia and the Netherlands...However,
the absurd policy of our
northern neighbor
prevents
Cuba from conquering
the U.S. market.”
The
damage to the Cuban
economy associated with
rising
freight costs and the
rising price of certain raw
materials which can only be obtained from
distant
suppliers, were also topics of discussion.
Amongst the affected
entities
are Los portales
S. A,
Papas &
Co, Stella, the imports and
exports company,
Alimpex,
and the joint venture, Bucanero.
Betsy
Diaz also
noted how,
"year
after year the losses incurred due to
the blockade rise. The
strengthening of the policy is seen in the fines
imposed since 2013 on banks
and companies that deal
with Cuban
counterparts."
National bodies
have highlighted the
high
financial costs they are forced to
incur due to exchange
rates and
the need to maintain very
high levels of stock due to
the geographic location of
suppliers, which leads to
significant
restrictions on resources.
|
