05 Dec 2000
Scotland is leading the way in creating a closer commercial relationship between the UK and Cuba, Scotland Office Minister Brian Wilson said today.
Speaking in London at a major seminar on trade and investment to mark the fifth anniversary of the Cuba Initiative, Mr Wilson said:
"The last few years have brought dramatic improvements in Britain’s links with Cuba and I am committed to doing whatever I can to ensure these continue to go from strength to strength. I want us to be at least as active in this market as other EU countries like Spain and Italy.
"Cuba offers the excitement of a growing economy which is opening up to innovative ways of doing business. It is a well-educated society of 11 million people with huge potential for economic development. A close affinity with Scotland is now being cultivated on a number of levels.
"Many Scottish companies have already experienced Cuba as an interesting, promising and sometimes inspiring place to do business. The recent trade mission led by Glasgow City Council was outstandingly successful while the connections we have built in the oil and gas sector over the past year are now being translated into orders and jobs.
"Cuba’s biotechnology industry is world-class and offers excellent partnership opportunities for our companies and educational establishments. There is growing interest among our leading scientists in what is being done there and this is generating further exchanges.. Aquaculture is another field in which we are promoting academic and commercial contacts at the personal request of President Castro.
"I am particularly pleased that Minister Ricardo Cabrisas is leading a strong delegation from Cuba to this event. As former Minister for Foreign Trade and co-chair of the Cuba Initiative, he has long been anxious to promote closer involvement with the UK and has warmly welcomed my own efforts towards the same end.."
NOTE TO NEWS EDITORS
The Cuba Initiative, founded five years ago, aims to significantly strengthen trade and investment relations between Britain and Cuba by providing information and assistance to UK companies. Its steering groups in the UK and in Cuba are chaired respectively by the Rt. Hon Baroness Young DL and Sr. Ricardo Cabrisas, Minister with Cabinet rank. The initiative provides an official link between the UK private sector and Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Trade. Whilst the principal focus of the initiative is on trade and investment, steering group membership is wider, includeing NGOs, UK government departments, academics and Members of Parliament, and relates to all aspects of non governmental relations between Britain and Cuba. Mr Wilson is hosting a reception for Sr. Cabrisas in Dover House this evening.