U.S. Secretary of Commerce Considers Benefit of Relations with Cuba

The visit to Cuba of U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, showed the enormous opportunities for both countries in trade and investment, after the restoration of the diplomatic relations in July.

At the same time, it showed that the blockade imposed by Washington on Havana since 1962, is the main obstacle to build relationships that promote the contribution of capital, as well as the expansion and diversification of markets.

During her two-day stay in this capital, Pritzker talked with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, Council of Ministers’ Vice President Ricardo Cabrisas, and Minister for Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca.

The latter assessed positively the measures adopted by President Obama, but said they are still insufficient, taking into account the executive faculties the president has to take to go forward.

During the several talks, the two sides discussed the scope and limitations of the regulations issued this year by the U.S. government, in order to modify the application of specific aspects of the commercial and financial blockade.

Pritzker, who traveled accompanied by senior officials from the departments of Commerce, Treasury and State of her country, participated in a meeting with representatives of several ministries and Cuban companies.

She also thanked the welcoming in Havana and described as brave the decision taken by Obama and Cuban President, Raul Castro, to move towards the normalization of bilateral relations.

The senior official said the working sessions were used to learn more about the island, which, in her opinion, will allow them convey criteria around on how to implement the executive measures announced by the White House in September.

After her arrival in the Cuban capital on Oct. 6, the visitor and her delegation toured the Mariel Special Development Zone, and was interested to the possibilities of operation and positioning of that facility as a logistic center, and its impact on the international trade.

The secretary of Commerce is the second member of the U.S. cabinet who visits Cuba in more than 50 years after the stay here of Secretary of State, John Kerry, who presided over the official opening ceremony of the U.S. embassy on Aug. 14.

On September 18, the U.S. Departments of Treasury and Commerce issued additional revisions to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations and the Export Administration Regulations on the basis of the changes set in motion on January 16, 2015.