Cuba pursuing possible trade agreement with Panama

Cuba pursuing possible trade agreement with Panama
The Associated Press
Published: March 2, 2007

PANAMA CITY, Panama: Cuba has floated a proposal to boost trade with
Panama by reducing tariffs on a range of goods, Cuba's foreign minister
said during a visit to the Central American nation.

Speaking at a news conference Friday, Felipe Perez Roque said Havana had
presented a list of goods it would like to include in such an agreement
to "create conditions to increase trade."

Panamanian Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro did not comment
specifically on the proposal, but said, "We have identified other areas
of cooperation which we can explore in the future, like the topic of trade."

Currently trade between the two countries amounts to only about US$50
million (€38 million). Panama exports mostly raw materials and
manufactured goods to the island nation, while Cuba ships Panama
tobacco, rum, cement and pharmaceuticals.

Perez Roque did not say when the two countries might begin talks on an
agreement.
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Panama is already part of the Central America Free Trade Agreement with
the United States.

Earlier Friday, representatives of Cuba and Panama also signed
cooperation agreements on education and law enforcement.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/03/03/business/LA-FIN-Panama-Cuba-Trade.php