PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):
THE TRINIDAD and Tobago House of Representatives has passed a bill to improve trade relations between that country and Cuba.
The bill entitled 'An Act to Give Effect to the Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement between the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Government of Cuba' was passed on Friday.
Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday, however, expressed concerns about the impact of the agreement on the business community here given the United States embargo against Cuba.
In his contribution to the debate, Panday said the Opposition supports the bill, but was concerned about the impact of the economic blockade, which was imposed against Cuba in 1962 by then U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
DIRE CONSEQUENCES
"What is going to happen to our businessmen? Do they know the consequences of trading?" asked Panday.
He read from a 2005 report of the United Nations, which highlighted the tight restrictions imposed by this blockade. Under the blockade, Cuba cannot export nor import any produce, merchandise or service from the U.S.
Panday explained that the restriction goes further to state that businessmen who import raw materials from Cuba cannot export this to the U.S.
"Third countries are forbidden to export goods to the U.S. if it contains Cuban material. I'm sure the business community is not aware of this," he said.
Subsidiaries of American companies based in Third World states are also forbidden from carrying out any kind of transaction with Cuban companies, he added.
But an irate Leader of Government Business in the House, Kenneth Valley, asked why the United National Congress had not raised these concerns in 2000 when it signed the agreement.
He said the U.S.'s North American neighbours, Canada, trades with Cuba successfully.
