Rhodes said the Cuban government should consider its own legal changes “to increase the impact” of the relaxed USA restrictions, including ending a 10 percent penalty on dollar conversions in Cuba, an “irritant” for Americans.
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US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker will travel to Cuba with business persons from her country, as part of the delegation accompanying President Barack Obama during his visit to the island on March 20-22. Cuba objects to the continuing embargo, and is short of money to purchase USA technology and products, even within the small range that is newly permitted.
“We want to basically go and see the Cuban lifestyle-the culture, explore different things that they do there”, explained Pena.
The government has removed the stipulation that vacationers participate in so-called people to people educational trips, in something of a blow to established tour operators, but the traditional restrictions concerning who can travel to Cuba, and for what purposes, are still in place. American travelers to Cuba will have to keep a record for five years on what they did in Cuba. White House officials said there would be “no shortage” of opportunities for Americans to fill the loosely defined requirement that they engage with locals in a bid to further U.S.-Cuban understanding. The tourist area isn’t as dominated by Cuban residents, and won’t offer the same opportunities that going to the capital, where the government is, would have.
“This will allow a lot more time for more one on one time with ordinary Cubans”. Embassies have re-opened, US companies can now manufacture in Cuba and commercial flights are to begin within months. US President Barack Obama will take a message of reconciliation directly to the Cuban people next week, delivering a public address billed as the keystone of an historic visit to the communist-ruled island.
Lew said the new moves announced will “enable economic advancements for Cubans and Americans”. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., who supports lifting the embargo and will make the trip with Obama.
“As a group it was more expensive as well because the groups would charge a fee for the leader and so forth”. A ban on those transactions crippled Cuba’s ability to buy and sell goods internationally.
As President Obama prepares to make a historic visit to Cuba, the United States unveiled new measures which will chip away decades long sanctions against Cuba.
Workers at the US Department of State add the Cuban flag to the display of flags inside the main entrance at 202 “C” Street in Washington, DC.
“These are regulations – these are done by executive authority, so they can be undone by executive authority”, said Gutierrez, now chairman of the Albright Stonebridge Group and the U.S.-Cuba Business Council.
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The change in rules is expected to encourage more person-to-person educational travel and allow Cuban nationals to get jobs in the United States or to open US bank accounts.
