Kerry to reopen Havana embassy Friday amidst conflicting signals
August 11, 2015 |06:09 PM
Secretary of State John Kerry is scheduled to travel to Cuba Friday to raise the flag on the U.S. embassy there for the first time since 1961 but the trip will take place amidst conflicting signals about how U.S.-Cuban relations are developing.
U.S. food exports to Cuba are down 37.1 percent in 2015 compared with the first six months of 2014, the Economic Eye on Cuba, a publication of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council Inc., reported Monday.
But the council also noted that Stonegate Bank of Pompano Beach, Fla., has signed the first direct correspondent banking agreement with a Cuban bank, Banco Internacional de Comercio SA (BICSA), a member of government-operated Grupo Nuevo Banca SA.
The Stonegate Bank also handles money for the Cuban Embassy in Washington.
The Economic Eye on Cuba also noted that Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, has announced a trip to Cuba in September, which will make him the first U.S. governor to travel there since diplomatic relations were officially restored in July.
Poultry and rice produced in Arkansas are some of the biggest U.S. exports to Cuba under the 2000 law that exempted U.S. agricultural products from the embargo on doing business with Cuba.
The publication also noted that John Kavulich, president of the council, will speak on doing business with Cuba at three conferences scheduled in October in New York and Miami.
Meanwhile, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a Republican presidential candidate, today put pressure on Kerry to meet with Cuban dissidents during his visit, The Hill reported.
U.S. food exports to Cuba are down 37.1 percent in 2015 compared with the first six months of 2014, the Economic Eye on Cuba, a publication of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council Inc., reported Monday.
But the council also noted that Stonegate Bank of Pompano Beach, Fla., has signed the first direct correspondent banking agreement with a Cuban bank, Banco Internacional de Comercio SA (BICSA), a member of government-operated Grupo Nuevo Banca SA.
The Stonegate Bank also handles money for the Cuban Embassy in Washington.
The Economic Eye on Cuba also noted that Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, a Republican, has announced a trip to Cuba in September, which will make him the first U.S. governor to travel there since diplomatic relations were officially restored in July.
Poultry and rice produced in Arkansas are some of the biggest U.S. exports to Cuba under the 2000 law that exempted U.S. agricultural products from the embargo on doing business with Cuba.
The publication also noted that John Kavulich, president of the council, will speak on doing business with Cuba at three conferences scheduled in October in New York and Miami.
Meanwhile, Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., a Republican presidential candidate, today put pressure on Kerry to meet with Cuban dissidents during his visit, The Hill reported.
