Arkansas Wishes to Lead New Era of Trade with Cuba

Arkansas Wishes to Lead New Era of Trade with Cuba
Fecha de publicación: 
2 October 2015
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Republican Asa Hutchinson, governor of Arkansas, stated on Wednesday in this capital that his State wishes to become one of the main U.S. states that will be at the forefront of commercial exchanges with Cuba, one of the main U.S. states that will increase them.

Before concluding his official visit to the island, the first by a U.S. official of his level after the reestablishment of diplomatic relations, Hutchinson shared a few minutes of his time with the press, to which he asserted his trip will mark the beginning of strong ties between the Southern state and the Caribbean country.

He explained that since his arrival in Havana on September 27, he and his accompanying delegation held talks with government officials and of the island's Chamber of Commerce; also, they visited the Special Development Zone of Mariel and participated in a business forum, in which the parties explored business opportunities in the agricultural sector.

They also spoke with professors and students of the University of Havana, and played a basketball game with the Capitalinos team; actions that allowed them to know more about the competitiveness and culture of the Cuban people, and of the love those born in Cuba feel for life, pointed out the Governor.

He emphasized the desire of his state to become one of the main ones that will be at the forefront with regard to a possible increase in bilateral trade.

Also, during his visit, he could verify opportunities to encourage academic exchanges between the universities of Havana and Arkansas, an issue that will monitor, he said.

"We were very impressed with the scientific research work that has been developed in the country to improve farming, something we want to learn more about and also show what we do in Arkansas."

As for the future of relations between the U.S. and Cuba, Hutchinson recognized that while a new era of opportunities has opened, a higher development of ties will depend on adjustments to be made by both the Congress of the northern nation and the Cuban government.

This process, he stressed, will require a lot of patience and communication so that both parties can move forward with confidence in the normalization of relations, broken off more than half a century ago and officially reestablished on July 20.

One of the first logical steps that should be taken in this regard is the adoption of legal regulations that facilitate giving credits to the agricultural sector; also, it will be necessary to relax travel by US citizens to Cuba, and the adoption of these measures is in the hands of Washington's Congress.

"Although we recognize our political differences, it is necessary to continue encouraging this process of mutual understanding, because we now have a common desire: to increase bilateral trade for the benefit of both territories and peoples," he emphasized.

In his final words before traveling to his country, Hutchinson expressed his appreciation for the hospitality and the warmth with which him and his delegation were received, a delegation made up by two senators, the Agriculture Secretary, the Director of Economic Affairs of his cabinet, and representatives of important companies linked to agriculture.

Upon his arrival in Cuba, the governor, a supporter of ending the blockade, said Arkansas is one of the states that, in spite of that policy, exports more to Cuba, mainly poultry products and rice, since 50 percent of the rice harvested in the United States comes from that southern state.

Food exports from Arkansas to Cuba reach a value of 35 million dollars, sales made to the island under strict conditions that force to pay in cash and in advance, a measure that makes exchanges more difficult.

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