Cuba, U.S. hold business council meeting in Havana

The U.S.-Cuba Business Council held a meeting Monday as the 2015 Havana International Trade Fair (Fihav) began on Monday in Cuba's capital, to forge links between the business sectors of both countries and identify investment opportunities.

The meeting of the council, created on Sept. 25 under the auspices of the Chambers of Commerce of both countries, drew more than 50 businessmen from major U.S. companies such as Morgan Stanley, Home Depot, Caterpillar, Boeing, American Airlines, Heinz Kraft, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal and Sprint, among others.

The U.S delegation was headed by Myron Brilliant, senior vice president of the American Chamber of Commerce, while Cuba's Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca led the Cuban delegation, accompanied by officials and businessmen from the fields of tourism, health, industry, telecommunications, banking, transportation, and energy and mines.

According to Cuba's National Information Agency (AIN), both parties agreed that the U.S.-led trade embargo remains the main obstacle to bilateral trade ties.

"The sizable U.S. delegation demonstrates the willingness of the U.S. business community to do business with Cuba and shows the failure of the economic blockade imposed by Washington," Malmierca told reporters.

He also reaffirmed Cuba's willingness to maintain strong economic ties with its traditional partners, including China, Venezuela, Spain and Russia.

Cuba and the United States in July restored diplomatic ties, which were severed by Washington on Jan. 3, 1961.

Twenty-nine U.S. companies are participating in the 33rd Fihav event, which runs through Nov. 7.