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Representatives of US companies doing business with Cuba said in statements to the press during the 26th International Havana Trade Fair (FIHAV) that they want the new administration headed by Barack Obama to make changes in relations with the island to favor bilateral trade. Currently only a limited amount of products can be sold to Cuba from the US with purchase terms that are disadvantageous for the island and stymie sales. Likewise, Cuba is prohibited under the US blockade from selling any products to the US market.

Cuba will purchase 150,000 tons of wheat from Canada at a cost of 55 million dollars, according to an agreement signed by the Alimport Food Import Company and the Canadian Wheat Board at the 26th International Havana Trade Fair (FIHAV) taking place through Saturday in the Cuban capital. The island also negotiated with Canadian companies to the import over 100,000 tons of peas and 1,000 tons of powdered milk, reported IPS. The Trade Fair has attracted business people from over 50 countries.

Most of the world sighed with relief Wednesday with the news that Barack Obama won the US presidential elections with a 52-46 percent majority. With 95 percent of the votes counted, the Democrats led the Republicans in the House of Representatives with 256 to 177 seats.

Cuba will use more than US $2.5 billion dollars to import food products in 2008, Pedro Alvarez, president of the Alimport Food Import Company told the press. The figure is double what was invested in 2007, noted IPS. The island’s agriculture was dealt a hard blow by hurricanes Gustav and Ike and is now in the recovery phase, which involved massive plantings of short cycle crops.

The world needs a U.S. president “who is rational, has a minimum IQ, is not an alcoholic and is not insane,” affirmed Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage when inaugurating the 26th International Havana Trade Fair (FIHAV) on Monday at the EXPOCUBA fairgrounds, reported IPS.

Cuban authorities updated their calculations on the losses caused by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike to US $9.3 billion, almost double the initial estimate, reported Civil Defense Chief Gen. Ramon Pardo Guerra, reported IPS.

Cuba and the UN World Food Program (WFP) signed an agreement for a new food aid operation for the population affected by hurricanes Gustav and Ike, announced the UN Information Office on the island. The plan will provide food assistance to 1.78 million persons during the next six months at a cost of 5.7 million dollars.

The 26th Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2008), one of the most important commercial events held in Cuba, takes place this year from November 3-8. The fair covers a wide range of products from consumer goods to machinery, equipment, technology, raw materials and services. The main exhibitors will be from Spain, Canada, China, Italy, Panama and Germany. FIVAH 2008 has its headquarters at the EXPOCUBA fairgrounds located 25 kilometers from downtown Havana in the city of Arroyo Naranjo.

Twenty US masons, carpenters, plumbers and electricians recruited by the Pastors for Peace non-governmental interfaith organization are working in the western province of Pinar del Río to help rebuild a school for children with special needs, damaged by hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

For nearly two decades Pastors for Peace has defied the US blockade against Cuba that includes a travel ban on US citizens visiting the island without special government permission. The organization sends an annual summer friendship caravan to Cuba with humanitarian donations via Mexico.

Rev. Manolo de los Santos Gonzalez told Granma newspaper that the group’s experience is far different from when Pastors for Peace sent a group to help out in New Orleans after hurricane Katrina.

“We were expecting to find the streets covered with mud, the people dejected, but everything is organized. We’ve seen clean towns; houses and schools are being rebuilt, children are receiving classes and the health center is operating. It’s been a great surprise to see that Cuba is standing,” said Rev. Manolo de los Santos Gonzalez.

Brazil will donate to Cuba more than 15,000 tons of rice and 200 tons of powdered milk as humanitarian aid to help the areas affected by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, reported the South American country’s Foreign Ministry.