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(Prensa Latina) Representatives of Cuba and the United States showed here today their readiness to continue the dialogue on assets nationalized to US citizens in the Island from 1959, and on the damages caused by the US economic blockade.
As part of a briefing, the delegations exchanged information about the pending mutual compensations, says a note issued by the Ministry of Foreign Relations of Cuba (Minrex).
In a meeting described as respectful and professional, the Cuban delegation put forward the basis of the claims, particularly those of the Cuban people to the Government of the United States for human and economic damages, acknowledged by the country’s courts, says the text, adding that the parties agreed to continue the talks on this issue.
The Cuban delegation was Deputy Foreign Minister Abelardo Moreno, and the US delegation was headed by Mary McLeod, Principal Deputy Legal Adviser of the Department of State.
Cuba has denounced in different international fora, including the United Nations, that economic damages caused by the US blockade since 1962 amount to 833.755 billion USD.
According to the United States, 6,000 people and businesses are claiming properties worth 1.90 billion USD.
Tractor firm Cleber became the first US company authorized to do business at a free trade zone in Cuba’s huge Mariel port, Cuban television reported on Thursday.
It “is the first company from the United States authorized by Cuba to set up in the Mariel Special Development Zone”, 45 kilometers (28 miles) west of the capital Havana, a news bulletin on state television said.
It is one of numerous US companies looking to do business on the island after Washington and Havana restored diplomatic relations in July.
The directors of the Alabama-based firm are Saul Berenthal and Horace Clemmons, two retired engineers of computer giant IBM.
The report said the company is still awaiting clearance from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, one of the bodies that enforces the trade embargo imposed by Washington on Cuba in 1962.
Despite the restoration of diplomatic relations in July, the embargo is yet to be lifted. But new rules brought in by US President Barack Obama in late 2014 authorize trade in agricultural equipment, which could aid Cleber’s bid to build small tractors for Cuban farmers.
Berenthal told the channel he hoped Cleber’s project would serve as a reference to other US firms planning to invest in the island.
Publish by The Cuban handshake
Sprint (NYSE: S) became the first U.S. wireless carrier to sign a direct roaming agreement with ETECSA.
“As the commercial relationship between the U.S. and Cuba continues to progress, it is expected that the number of travelers to Cuba will increase exponentially,” said Sprint CEO Marcelo Claure. “We want to make sure any Sprint customer traveling to Cuba can use their phone the same way as they do in the United States.”
Claure made the announcement at a signing ceremony in Havana as part of the U.S.-Cuba Business Council (USCBC) delegation to Cuba.
As the only U.S. carrier with a direct roaming agreement and a direct long-distance interconnection agreement with Cuban provider ETECSA, Sprint is leading the way for U.S.-Cuba telecommunications. www.sprint.com
The Havana International Fair (FIHAV), will be held from November 2-7 at Expocuba.
The most important trade fair in Cuba that enables exhibitors and visitors to establish commercial contacts, close business operations, exchange experiences and update in new technological developments.
Along with the promotion of Cuban exports and its business portfolio opportunities, in its 33rd edition the FIHAV will provide a directory listing the companies, which trade with / in Cuba, as a reference tool for national and foreign businessmen as well.
This year, the organisation expects to receive 150,000 visitors. the participation of more than 900 companies, from seventy countries, spread over 20,000m2 of the fairground.
From today Nauta’s accounts (provides access to public WIFI in Cuba.) may be topped up from abroad with a minimum of 10 CUC through the website www.ding.com.
Habanos s.a. launch the Ediciones Limitadas 2015, H. Upmann Magnum 56 and Ramón Allones Club Allones, that will be reaching to the different outlets around the world in the coming weeks.
The Ediciones Limitadas – Limited Editions- of Habanos are appreciated and expected by the aficionados every year. These Ediciones are special because their vitolas do not exist in the regular range of sizes of the brand portfolio. They are also distinguished by a careful selection of all their leaves – wrapper , filler and binder -, which have been aged for a period of at least 2 years. The dark wrapper dressing these Habanos, coming from the highest levels on the shade grown black tobacco plant, is another characteristic that identifies them, as this wrapper is darker than the one of the vitolas in the regular range of the brand.