Mexico-Cuba Chamber formed to be ally to firms doing business on island

Mexico-Cuba Chamber formed to be ally to firms doing business on island
Published May 02, 2016 EFE

The Binational Mexico-Cuba Chamber of Commerce was created with an eye
toward being an ally to Mexican companies wanting to expand trade and
investment on the communist island at a historic moment after the
strengthening of bilateral relations.

"We're seeking to become an ally of companies in closing business
(deals). Also having greater participation in the Mexican business
sector, and not only in the export area, but also in the ...
opportunities for investment that turn up" in Cuba, the president of the
organization, Beatriz Barreto, told EFE in an interview.

In this way, the private organization, which began operations in 2015,
is seeking "to strengthen commercial relations" between nations and
foster "strategic associations" within the framework of the relaunching
of relations by the two governments in 2012, when Enrique Peña Nieto
came to power in Mexico and put an end to more than a decade of tension.

The organization functions as a civil association and received
government - although not financial - support so that it could establish
itself in just a year.

It is looking to expand its influence and last November, for example,
members of the Chamber visited Havana and signed three "important"
letters of intent in the health, culture and education sectors.

The tourism opening on the island, which was visited in March by U.S.
President Barack Obama, implies a trade benefit not only for Mexico and
other countries seeking to do business in Cuba, the head of the
organization - which has several offices in Mexico - said.

During this new phase in Mexico-Cuba diplomatic relations - which date
from 1902 and, although they have never been interrupted, have gone
through highs and lows - Barreto said she did not want to focus only on
the economic realm.

In 2014, Mexico and Cuba achieved a trade balance of $374 million, 89
percent more than a decade before, but Mexico's share of that total was
$362 million in exports. EFE

Source: Mexico-Cuba Chamber formed to be ally to firms doing business on
island | Fox News Latino -
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/politics/2016/05/02/mexico-cuba-chamber-formed-to-be-ally-to-firms-doing-business-on-island/