Brazilian President Tours Cuba Port Development Project

HAVANA TIMES, Feb 1 — President Dilma Rousseff visited the Mariel Port in western Cuba yesterday, the site of major investments by her country. She was accompanied there by Cuba President Raul Castro, reported media outlets on the island.

According to the dignitary, the value of the port redevelopment effort is just over $900 million, of which her country is contributing about $640 million. The work is being executed by the Brazilian company COI and a Cuban construction company.

The port is currently undergoing a dredging operation that will allow it to become the principal gateway of Cuban foreign trade. Once completed, the facility will allow the entry of vessels of up to 15 meters draft, ones that are too large to access the port of Havana.

It was announced that a part of the installation should begin operations in 2013, while the balance of the construction work will continue.