08/22/05 NW tree fruit soon to Cuba?

08/22/05 NW tree fruit soon to Cuba?

It was last week that Nebraska's governor announced one of the largest trade deals ever made between the U.S. and Cuba. $17 million dollars worth of dry beans going to the island nation. But of even greater significance was it was the first such deal since the U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Asset Control relaxed rules for sales of ag goods to Cuba. Under the revised rules, U.S. goods can be shipped once payment is received in cash from Cuban buyers or from third party banks. For the past year, the rule allowed only cash payments from buyers. And what the relaxed rules coupled with this first sale means is hope that Northwest tree fruits will soon be shipped to Cuba. SCHLECT: We support opening Cuba up for agricultural trade as some of our apples have gone down there, and it would be a market for apples, pears, and cherries. Chris Schlect of the Northwest Horticultural Council says Washington apples were well received when bought by Cuba three years ago. And he thinks there is a potential market for our tree fruits now, as the American government relaxes its trade ban with Cuba, and long-term, once Fidel Castro's regime is out of power. SCHLECT: Until that happens there is this issue with the political boycott or the blockade of Cuba economically, and it's a very big policy issue for Cuban Americans, and hence for the country's political leadership. I think the trend of history will support opening up Cuba, just like they have Vietnam, just like they have the People's Republic of China.
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