More and more Portuguese companies interested in investing in Cuba, said Cuban ambassador to Portugal, Johana Tablada de La Torre. And Cuba is interested in technology that Portugal has developed in the renewable energy sector, the mold industry and agro-industry sectors that Cuba wants to develop. Relations between the US and Cuba are going through a historic moment with the resumption of diplomatic relations. But economic embargo still continuing, which raises numerous difficulties in the daily life of Cubans, said the ambassador of Cuba in Portuga in an interview with Human Capital program ETV.
Despite the restore relations diplomatic with the United States, the economic embargo continues after all?
There is great confusion. For many people it is hard to realize that the restoration of diplomatic relations – which is a big positive step – has not been accompanied by the lifting of sanctions against Cuba. There are some positive steps, but with a very limited range. The US Congress the only body that can end the blockade. But legislation that fits the lock allows a wide margin of maneuver to the US president. For example, the head of state can determine that from now on, Cuba can now have access to funds from the World Bank or the International Development Bank, which would be very important.
What it means to live in a country with economic embargo?
It means not being able to develop its maximum capacity and that for Cuba it had very important implications in all areas. The US is a smaller economy and are 150 km from our border and we have no access to their products, or they can sell products. Furthermore, it has significant damage to third countries. Because, from the beginning, the embargo has a very strong extraterritorial component. More than 80% of the population of Cuba nãosobe what living without blocking because it has lasted for 55 years. Which means that most of the population of Cuba had to try an artificial life, living in a country that has the system of unilateral sanctions broader and prolonged in time from around the world.
How that in the midst of the blockade, can have a health system with a great international reputation?
Despite the blockade, which triples the cost of operations and the products we buy, Cuba can build a universal and free health care for all its people. But also with access to free education. Cuba has over twenty free medical schools. Furthermore, the Cuban medicine has so much prestige that begins to be also a source of export of medical services and is the first export sector of our country.
How are relations Cuba-Portugal?
They are very good. Are 95 years of interrupted relationship and in recent years, our country is making important changes in the economy to get foreign investment, increase the level of productivity.
And there Portuguese investment in Cuba?
There. We have one of the largest hotel chains, the Pestana. There are two or three hotel chains in talks to invest in the country. We have a new law on investment, a new area for the development of a deep water port and a container terminal. We have a boat passing by here every ten days and following to Cuba. Trade between the two countries is growing and there is a lot of complementarity in sectors for us are a priority and that Portugal has an interesting level of development: renewable energy, agro-industry, everything is molds area, where Portugal and champion.
There are several companies molds that have visited Cuba and want to invest in textiles, in footwear, areas where Portugal has a wealth of experience, with a strong focus on innovation, new technologies, which are also very well -vindas in Cuba.
Many Portuguese companies are interested in the country?
And now we have a very intense movement of Portuguese companies. Soon it takes place the International Fair of Havana, and the delegation of Portuguese companies, is larger than last year. Last year we had the visit of Deputy Prime Minister of Portugal, Paulo Portas. This year I can not announce yet, but we are waiting for a visit from AICEP to accompany the Portuguese companies that are there and quequerem settle in the country. Cuba is buying more Portuguese products in trade this year have reached the numbers that were only achieved at the end of last year. And the tour is the same. This year so far, already more than 15 thousand Portuguese traveled to Cuba, which is much higher than the number we had in the previous year. We have an international chamber of commerce Portugal- Cuba, which is new, with new member.
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