Cuba is trade possibility for Ohioans

Cuba is trade possibility for Ohioans
By TIM RAUSCH
419-993-2097
07/28/2006
trausch@limanews.com

LIMA, 11 a.m. — Terry Maris has been asked by Cuban expatriates
"what's it like?"
Maris, executive director for the Center for Cuban Business Studies
at Ohio Northern University, is traveling back to Cuba within a month.
Not only can Americans travel there legally, but they can trade there
legally too, Maris told Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce members
Friday morning.
"Putting politics aside, which is what we do when we travel down
there, the Cuban people are a warm and friendly people," Maris said.
Maris said there are eight states that have not started to trade
with Cuba, allowed in limited fashion for the last five years. Ohio is
one of them.
"It is not an enormous market. It is not China," Maris said. But
Cuba has a population size close to Ohio's.
Maris said most of the items being sold to Cuba are agricultural or
medical equipment.
Some of the top exports to Cuba are candy, wine and microwave
popcorn. Most of it ends up in resorts, Maris explained.
Venezuela is Cuba's top trade partner, Maris said, and Canadians
represent its top tourist draw.

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