Cuba is witnessing major changes in the country after the landmark visit by US President Barack Obama. But the island country wants more from the Americans. They want US to vacate Guantanamo Bay, allow Cubans to trade in dollars and lift economic blockade which still exists. However, with the Indian Government always behind Cuba, Cuban Ambassador to India Oscar I Martínez Cordovés said Havana is looking at such “friends” to push its economy.
“The biggest challenge is to increase economic and commercial relations with India which is very bad. We are interested in collaboration in various sectors like renewable energy, bio-technology, pharmaceuticals, Information Technology, etc. But we would also like Indian tourists to visit Cuba even though we still have to improve on infrastructure in hospitality and tourism sector. But India being an old friend we are hopeful for their support,” Cordovés said. The trade between India and Cuba has declined drastically over the last few years. But the relations between two are still strong in several spheres. It is due to this that Cuba would like India to help the country develop. Shooting of films like Ek Tha Tiger has helped Cuba further.
The tourism industry in Cuba has seen a major jump over the last one year with Canadians and Cuban Americans thronging the country but the overall economy still needs a big push. To improve this the Cuban government recently presented some projects to Indian government in sectors like milk products, wind energy and coal generation against the credit line provided by Indian Government. In the past India has donated a 5KW solar power plant, and helped set up IT Centre to train over 1,900 Cuban professional in different streams. India has approved a line of Credit of $5 million for setting up a milk powder processing plant besides another lines of Credit worth $2.712 million for setting up a Bulk Blending Fertiliser Plant project and $ 5.0492 million for modernisation of injectable products plant in Havana. A team of Cuban bio-technologists are at present touring Mumbai to explore collaboration.
With regard to US, the envoy said that though US- Cuba relations are improving, there is a lot to be done. “It is a long and difficult process to get to normalise relations where Cuba demands lifting of economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by US and still in full force,” the envoy said quoting the document of recently concluded 7th Congress of the Communist Party.
Cordovés said Cubans want US to completely withdraw from Guantanamo Bay which is under their control for a long time. “But President Barack Obama has not committed anything on it,” the envoy said while adding Cuba has to be patient on it.