Cuba looks primed for change

Expert: Cuba looks primed for change
By TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: May 30, 2009

TAMPA - Despite widespread attention given the Obama administration's
initiatives in opening trade and travel discussions with Cuba,
substantial change will depend on congressional action, a Cuban business
affairs expert at Tulane University told a gathering of more than 125
Tampa Bay businesspeople Friday.

Despite the failure to improve U.S. relations with Cuba in recent
decades, conditions appear better than ever for change, a co-panelist
from the University of Florida told a group assembled for a World Trade
Center World Affairs Council program.

"Clearly change is coming, but don't count on it next week," said Terry
McCoy, director of UF's Latin American Business Environment program.

McCoy, Tulane postdoctoral research fellow Paolo Spadoni and Port of
Tampa Director Richard Wainio stressed challenges in creating business
with Cuba, which is suffering from myriad economic problems. They left
open for future discussion what steps local businesses can or should
take before trade is normalized.

Wainio said Cuba could parallel Panama in becoming a location to handle
"trans-shipments," with huge container cargo ships serving the Far East
through the expanded Panama Canal by 2015 transferring containers to
smaller ships that would serve Tampa.

That would mean more container shipments through the port rather than by
rail and truck from California ports to Central Florida.

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

Expert: Cuba looks primed for change (30 May 2009)

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/may/30/bz-expert-cuba-looks-primed-for-change/