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$10M
Cuba deal made
World Trade Center, partner conclude import
agreement
By Staff reports. Long
Beach Press-Telegram, CA. Sept. 4, 2003.
HAVANA, Cuba The World Trade Center Association
Los Angeles-Long Beach along with a partner, Global
Strategies Trading LLC, has concluded a week-long
business trade mission to Havana.
The mission resulted in an agreement with Alimport,
the Cuban import company, to secure $10 million
in business over the coming year.
The trade mission was comprised of California-based
companies involved in food, medical, and health
care.
"Since Los Angeles County is home to more
than 300,000 businesses, Cuba represents a natural
opportunity for the Southern California business
community to secure new market possibilities,'
says Barry Sedlik, vice chairman of business development
for the nonprofit association.
The agreement, signed Wednesday by Sedlik and
Pedro Alvarez Borrego, chairman and CEO of Alimport,
calls for the association to continue its efforts
to identify California-based companies in the
food, agriculture and health care areas who are
interested, qualified and eligible to conduct
business in Cuba.
In exchange, Alimport agrees to award up to $10
million worth of contracts to the companies, subject
to terms. The association will also help identify
legal prospective air and sea routes from the
U.S. west coast to Cuba.
"A sea route from the ports of Long Beach
or Los Angeles offers the promise of more competitive
pricing ,' Sedlik said. "We look forward
to the day when the travel ban is rescinded by
the U.S. government and more free and open trade
between the two nations can proceed to its natural
potential.'
World Trade Center Associations operate in more
than 100 countries to promote international trade.
The local office is also an affiliate of the Los
Angeles County Economic Development Corporation,
a nonprofit organization that helps sustain and
grow jobs in Southern California.
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