Cuba News and Information

Associated Press

HAVANA—More than 250 representatives of U.S. agribusiness are arriving in Cuba for four days of sales talks set to begin December 14.

The conference marks the second anniversary of the first U.S. commercial food shipments to the communist country.

It comes despite a tightening by the Bush administration of restrictions on the island, including stepped-up enforcement of rules on American travel.
The Treasury Department forbids Americans from spending money in Cuba.
U.S. authorities in recent weeks have increased inspections of flights bound for Cuba from Miami.

But the head of Cuba’s food import company tells The Associated Press Saturday that at least $130 million in new sales are expected to come from the talks.

A law passed in 2000 makes an exception to the four-decades-old U.S. trade embargo, allowing cash sales for American farm products to Cuba.