Business & Economy

At a time when the Obama administration and the Cuban government are involved in negotiations to make possible a normalization of their newly restored diplomatic relations, the US Navy has plans to replace the W.T. Sampson School at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.

Nine US governors, two Republicans and seven Democrats, urged Congress to lift the economic and commercial embargo on Cuba, according to a letter released today. They see the embargo as a hinderance for the Agricultural industry in their different states.

US Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzger said today in Havana that the impact had by the United States’ measures to weaken the embargo, “will be dependent on the Cuban government also taking certain steps to update its regulatory system and reform the economy in ways that support the continued development of a Cuban private sector.”

US Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker, begins a two-day visit to Cuba on Tuesday. The US Secretary of Commerce is scheduled to visit today the port of Mariel.

The United States Embassy in Havana recently purchased a solar power system for $55,120.66, records show. The system should be installed by Oct. 15.

Private jet charter service from 19 United States cities to Cuba begins operations today. Victor, a British based company, will offer direct flights from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and other cities. Prices for a group of eight travelers flying to Havana for a four-night program begin at US $40,000.

With home Internet service unavailable to Cubans and public WiFi hot spots prohibitive in cost for the average worker/professional, the State monopoly Telecommunications Company of Cuba (ETECSA) announces that it will now allow people in other countries to pay for Cubans’ Internet use.

Vietnamese firms and banks signed six agreements with Cuba in Havana as a result of the 1st Bilateral Business Forum.