[Marxism] Cuba-China '07 trade ties up 23%

[Walter Lippmann]

Cuba-China '07 trade ties up 23%
Tue, 01 Jan 2008 09:27:42

http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=37089&sectionid=351020702

Cuba and China have increased trade ties to more than $2 billion in 2007,
making China the second-largest trading partner of Cuba.

Trade between the two countries totaled $1.8 billion in 2006 - double that
of 2005, China's ambassador to Havana said in March. It had a 23-percent
growth in 2007.

Chinese goods are increasingly common on the island, and hundreds of
Chinese-made buses and trains have helped ease chronic transportation
problems, especially on long-distance routes.

China is also the top importer of Cuban products, especially nickel and
sugar.

Trade figures between the two countries also include billions of dollars in
favorable credits that Beijing has extended to Havana in recent years.

After China, Venezuela is the third largest economic benefactor of Cuba,
sending 92,000 barrels per day of oil to the country.

AGB/BGH

Friendship with Cuba boosts economic ties
16:54' 02/01/2008 (GMT+7)

http://english.vietnamnet.vn/politics/2008/01/762222/

VietNamNet Bridge - Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Jesus Aise Sotolongo spoke
to Viet Nam News about his country's Victory Day, which was celebrated
yesterday.

How can Vietnam and Cuba enhance their relationship, especially their
economic and trade ties?

Several significant events enhanced Cuba-Vietnam relationships last year,
especially their bilateral economic ties.

The visit by Viet Nam Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh to
Cuba in May was an important milestone for the parties of both countries and
helped strengthen political relations and economic ties.

Several memoranda of understanding for economic as well as science and
technology co-operation were signed during the visit and these attracted
international interest.

There were also visits by Vietnam's Construction Minister and Vietnam-Cuba
Joint Committee president Nguyen Hong Quan; Viet Nam State Bank Governor
Nguyen Van Giau and former Industry Minister Hoang Trung Hai.

Cubans, who made official visits to Vietnam last year, included Politburo
member and Parliament chairman Ricardo Alarcon de Quesada; politburo member
and Basic Industry Minister Yadira Garcia; Central Committee secretary and
its External Relations Committee director Fernando Remires de Estenoz;
Revolutionary Command and Information and Communications Minister Ramiro
Valdez and Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque.

The exchange visits proved that our bilateral political ties are sound and
at their meetings, the leaders discussed measures to enhance economic
co-operation between Cuba and Vietnam.

Cuba's State Minister Ricardo Cabrisas, Construction Minister Fidel Figueroa
and Light Industry Minister Jose Hemandez also visited Vietnam.

These visits had a positive influence on enhancing economic and trade
relations as well as co-operation between the two countries.

Vietnamese delegates and business representatives met with their Cuban
partners to discuss the promotion of co-operation during the 25th meeting of
the Vietnam-Cuba Joint Committee in Havana last year.

Minutes for co-operation, including an inter-government protocol for
Economic and Science and Technology Co-operation, were signed during the
meeting.

Other minutes were signed for co-operation in tourism, construction, sport
and physical training, finance, rice cultivation, oil and gas, information
and communications, archives building, the environment and technology,
biological technology, radio and television and investment enhancement and
sponsorship.

All now need the attention of both countries, business as well as their
embassies in Havana and Hanoi.

The potential to expand trade between Vietnam and Cuba is high.

Vietnam can export light industrial products to Cuba and import biological
products in return.

Vietnam can also boost co-operation with Cuba in food hygiene and
construction consultancy.

I think a significant progress in the enhancing of ties is the establishment
of representative offices of Cuban economic groups in Vietnam.

These include the Cubalse Group, the Enterprise Administration Group and the
Cimex Group.

What advice have you for Vietnamese who want to invest in Cuba?

There are many opportunities to do business in Cuba. The priorities are
tourism, oil and gas, light industry and construction.

My advice to Vietnamese businesses is to study Cuba's market and Foreign
Investment Law thoroughly and establish partnerships with Cuban businesses
to identify opportunities for developing co-operation to the mutual benefit
of both countries, if they want to be successful.

The traditional relationship between Vietnam-Cuba is a solid foundation for
the strengthening of economic ties between the two countries.

Cuba at a glance

Area:          110,860sq.km
Population:    over 11.3mil
Capital:       Havana
Language:      Spanish
Currency:      Peso
National Flag: Five blue and white horizontal bands (blue at top and bottom)
with a five-pointed star enclosed by a red triangle at the top of the flag.

We know that both Cuba's and Vietnam's leaders support Cuba's economic
development. They want Cuban and Vietnamese enterprises to co-operate
closely in taking concrete action for the economic development of both
countries.

Cuba's education and health services are renowned throughout the world. Is
it possible to share your experiences about their development with Vietnam?

Cuba's achievements in health and education are recognised by the
international community. They are the result of proper investment and sound
management by the Cuban government.

Each country has its own management methods for socio-economic development.
I think the two countries have recorded achievements.

Both should now enhance co-operation and exchange their experiences so as to
increase the people's quality of life.

(Source: Viet Nam News)























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