McAuliffe announces port agreement with Cuba

McAuliffe announces port agreement with Cuba
Posted: Tuesday, January 5, 2016 6:30 pm
By GRAHAM MOOMAW Richmond Times-Dispatch

The Virginia Port Authority has struck a deal with its Cuban counterpart
to explore commercial opportunities with the island nation, Gov. Terry
McAuliffe announced Tuesday.
McAuliffe, in the middle of a three-day trade mission to Cuba, said the
Virginia delegation signed a memorandum of understanding with the Cuban
Port Authority, which recently completed the $1 billion Port of Mariel
project, according to the governor's office.
"Virginia enjoys a uniquely productive economic relationship with Cuba,
and this MOU will generate additional opportunities for economic and
cultural exchange," McAuliffe said. "As relations between our nations
continue to normalize, this agreement will position Virginia as a leader
in trade relations with Cuba now and in the future."
The agreement, the announcement said, "establishes a platform for
cooperation and information sharing aimed at developing links between
Cuba and Virginia to support waterborne trade and investment, improve
customer service, enhance collaboration to achieve improved business
practices and increase the level of vessel services available between
the two entities."
On Monday, McAuliffe announced a similar cooperation agreement between
Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Havana.
Today is the final day of the governor's trip.
gmoomaw@timesdispatch.com
(804) 649-6839
Twitter: @gmoomaw

Source: McAuliffe announces port agreement with Cuba - Richmond
Times-Dispatch: Virginia Politics -
http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/government-politics/article_a457f91d-b523-50be-b1e0-a700ca1e388e.html