NY governor heads US trade mission to Cuba
Updated: 2015-04-21 09:53
(Xinhua)
|
|||||||||
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (C) walks on a street in Havana April 20, 2015. [Photo/Agencies] |
HAVANA - A trade mission led by New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo kicked off on Monday a two-day visit to Cuba, Cuban daily Granma reported.
The mission aims to ensure the state is "present (from the) beginning of the adventure," said Cuomo, referring to the process launched by Cuba and the US to normalize ties after more than five decades of animosity.
"We are assisting the beginning of the transition in the relationship between the two countries, which is going to have significant economic benefits for both sides," Cuomo told reporters as he arrived at Havana's Jose Marti international airport.
The governor was greeted by Josefina Vidal, general director for US affairs at the Cuban Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Cuomo, the first US governor to officially visit the island since Cuba and the US decided to restore diplomatic ties in December, heads a delegation of business leaders, including Robin Hayes, CEO of low-cost carrier JetBlue; Walt M. Macnee, vice chairman of credit card company MasterCard; and Freda Lewis-Hall, vice president of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer.
"As the door begins to open between US and Cuba, we want New York businesses to be first out of the gate when it comes to building trade partnerships," Cuomo posted on Twitter a day prior to the trip.
In addition to industry leaders, the delegation included representatives of educational and research institutions based in New York, and local politicians, such as New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.
The visit is part of Cuomo's Global NY initiative, to boost trade and investment for his state, the daily said.
"The representatives in the New York delegation will help ensure the companies of the Empire State are at the forefront when the doors open to a market that has been closed to US companies for more than half a century," Cuomo said in a press release issued before the trip.
- China, Pakistan elevate relations, commit to long-lasting friendship
- Ferris wheel prepares for final spin
- Nation seeks to lure more overseas talent
- Chinese lawmakers weigh harsh regulation on baby formula
- Ten photos you don't wanna miss - April 20
- Old Summer Palace may sue over controversial replica
- Shanghai auto show kicks off
- Annual Tweed Run held in central London
- Wood sculptures discovered inside cliffside cave in Chongqing
- Antiriot device earns national patent for Jilin farmer
- 7 trends that will shape China's supply chain
- Girls celebrate adulthood in NW China
- Couple linked by a stick
- Natural History Museum opens in Shanghai
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Spring Festival trends reflect a changing China |
Patent applications lead the world |
BC lures Chinese tourists |
Today's Top News
China, Pakistan elevate relations, commit to long-lasting friendship
'Belt-Road' to exchange goodwill with trade
Swarm of Chinese applications deplete US investor visas
AIIB looks to be efficient and 'green'
Bridging cultures with laughter
and song
Central bank cuts ratio for reserves
China's real estate market is a key global contributor: Conference
Envoy: Many benefits to Xi's visit
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |