French Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Matthias Fekl,accompanied by a business delegation, began a three-day visit to Cuba on Tuesday aimed at boosting bilateral trade.

     Fekl is scheduled to meet with Cuban officials, including Vice President Ricardo Cabrisas; Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca; and Minister of Tourism Manuel Marrero, among others, the Cuban News Agency (ACN) said.

     Fekl will also take part in the inaugural meeting of a bilateral committee created to oversee the implementation of funds,  as part of a scheme that will see part of Cuba's foreign debt invested in development projects.

     The official's visit aims to follow up on commitments made during French President Francois Hollande's visit to Havana in May 2015, and Cuban President Raul Castro's visit to Paris in February 2016, ACN said, citing the French Foreign Ministry.

     Hollande has expressed his administration's interest in expanding bilateral cooperation and promoting business in Cuba's energy, tourism, agriculture, transport and urban development sectors.

     Hollande has also called for the United States to lift its half-century trade embargo against Cuba, which penalizes U.S. and international firms for doing business with the Caribbean island.   Enditem  

Source:
courtesy of XINHUA NEWS AGENCY

by XinHua News Agency

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