LatinNews Daily - 02 June 2016

Cuba: On 30 May Missouri State Governor Jeremiah Nixon began an official visit to Cuba, with the aim of strengthening bilateral trade relations. The delegation headed by Nixon included Missouri Department of Agriculture Director Richard Fordyce, First Lady Georganne Nixon, and Missouri Department of Economic Development Director Mike Downing. Governor Nixon said that the trade mission will focus on growing Missouri exports to Cuba, especially agricultural products. A press release by Governor Nixon notes that the island was formerly a significant export destination for Missouri-grown rice. “Missouri produces a high-quality, long-grain rice that has proven to be a high-value crop for farmers in the southeast part of the state…and increasing rice exports would be another boost for the regional and state economies”. As part of the focus on Missouri exports, Governor Nixon also visited Cuba’s new deep-water port at Mariel, which has expanded capacity to receive large cargo ships. Missouri products, particularly grain, often are transported down the Mississippi River by barge to the Gulf of Mexico and then to overseas markets by sea-going cargo ships. As well as meeting Cuban government officials in Havana, Governor Nixon was also briefed by Deputy Chief of Mission Scott Hamilton and other high-ranking officials at the US embassy on progress toward facilitating and increasing trade between the US and Cuba. The governor also addressed an entrepreneurial forum coordinated by the Cuban Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Trade and Investment, which included Cuban companies and members of the Missouri delegation.

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