US Commerce Secretary Visits Cuba to Ease Trade

The U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker arrived Tuesday to Cuba to discuss measures to ease trade between both nations.

Pritzker opened Wednesday a high-level meeting between business representatives, U.S. and Cuban officials to discuss recent measures taken by Washington to ease the embargo against the island.

Officials from the U.S. State, Commerce and Treasury Departments took part in the meeting.

On Tuesday, Pritzker visited the port of Mariel were the Cuban government created a special economic zone to attract foreign investment in 200.

In September, the Obama administration modified a number of restrictions against the island, including allowing U.S. companies to open offices in Cuba and create joint ventures with Cuban state-owned companies.

Ahead of her visit, Pritzker announced that the main focus of the talks will be trade regulation, as both countries will look back a the rules they used before the blockade.

The U.S. government is further pushing for Cuba to modify bureaucratic mechanisms to further ease trade and attract U.S. based companies.

Pritzker also took upon the opportunity to promote small private entrepreneurs and small farming initiatives that were part of the reforms introduced by Cuban President Raul Castro.