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US Rice Producers Sign
Agreement with Cuba
Cuba has imported 100,000
tons of rice from the United States this
year and despite commercial restrictions
placed on doing business Cuba is the third
largest importer of rice from North America
after both Mexico and Japan.
Kansas
City InfoZine, Sunday, October 17, 2004.
Houston, Texas - Representatives of the
US Rice Producers Association were in Havana,
Cuba last week at the invitation of Pedro
Alvarez, President & CEO of ALIMPORT
(Empresa Cubana de Alimentos), the Cuban
food import agency. The visit was highlighted
by the joint signing of a Letter of Intent
by Mr. Alvarez and Dwight Roberts, President
& CEO of the US Rice Producers Association
that called for the expansion of trade relations
between the two groups including the proposition
to elevate the current level of Cuba's purchases
of rice from the United States. Upon completion
of the signing ceremony a press conference
was held in the Hotel Nacional in Havana.
"Cuba has imported 100,000 tons of
rice from the United States this year and
despite commercial restrictions placed on
doing business Cuba is the third largest
importer of rice from North America after
both Mexico and Japan," explained Mr.
Alvarez. "Cuba acquires approximately
550,000 tons of rice on a yearly basis from
the exterior, especially from Vietnam and
China but if the restrictions of the embargo
were removed Cuba could become the number
one market for U.S. rice," Alvarez
continued.
The press conference was widely attended
including correspondents from the Associated
Press, NBC, CBS, ABC, Reuters, BBC and numerous
newspapers from the United States, Latin
America as well as Cuban publications and
radio. "The US Rice Producers Association
appreciates the invitation of ALIMPORT to
expand trade relations between the rice
sectors of our countries and we are committed
to continuing our work in Cuba that is mutually
beneficial," stated Roberts. "The
doors of Cuba are open for business and
our work with the US Rice Producers Association
will pave the way for future growth of the
market," finalized Mr. Alvarez. Pictured
is Dwight Roberts and Pedro Alvarez celebrating
the joint signing of a Letter of Intent
to strengthen trade relations between the
two groups as part of the press conference
held at the Hotel Nacional.
The USRPA delegation also visited the container
terminal at the Port of Havana, Biotechnology
and Genetic Research Institute, Latinoamerican
Medicine Institute, CIMEX Corporation and
the Cuban Chefs Society. The US Rice Producers
Association has long been instrumental and
active in the opening of the Cuban market
even prior to the re-establishment of the
rice trade that took place in 2001.
ALIMPORT is also extending an invitation
to all U.S. food and agricultural companies
for the 22nd Havana International Trade
Fair scheduled from November 1-7, 2004.
U.S. rice will be well represented at this
event with members of the milling industry
participating.
The US Rice Producers Association represents
rice farmers in Mississippi, Missouri, Texas,
California, Louisiana and Arkansas, and
is the only organization solely representing
the views of U.S. rice farmers.
© 1994-2004
Infozine ® A Registered Trademark.
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