Barbados Seeking To Break Into Cuban Market

BARBADOS:  With the formal re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States (US), Barbados and other CARICOM countries are now seeking to further partner with that country in an effort to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
This was revealed when Industry Minister, Donville Inniss, received a courtesy call from Cuba’s Ambassador to Barbados, Francisco Fernandez Pena, at his Reef Road office this morning.
The Minister disclosed that apart from forging deeper economic relations with Cuba, Government was also eager to engage robustly in trade, and there were a number of companies ready to do business with the Spanish isle.
He confirmed that from May, Bank Breweries Limited would be seeking to export approximately one million cases of beer to Cuba. He added that early next month, a delegation comprising government and private officials would be travelling to Cuba to conduct a trade mission.
Mr. Inniss also pointed out that over the years, Cuba has been committed to providing extensive technical assistance to Barbados, especially in the area of health care.
In turn, the Ambassador noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in December 1972, Barbados and Cuba have maintained a cordial relationship characterised by cooperation and mutual respect. The two officials also touched briefly on the upcoming Cuba International Tourism Fair set to take place in Havana.
The restoration of relations between Cuba and the United States was signalled when on March 21 this year, President Barack Obama became the first US President to visit Cuba since 1928.
theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb