Providenciales, 09 Dec 2014 – CARICOM leaders yesterday cozying up with Cuban leader Raul Castro in a fifth Caricom-Cuba Summit aimed at drawing the nations closer together in trade and other relations. Bahamas PM Rt. Hon. Perry Christie remarked that he is the first Prime Minister of that country to visit Cuba in an official capacity. In his words to Castro and Cuba, there was high commendation for a number of bi-lateral initiatives and an invite for Cuba to again participate in the IAAF World Relays second staging in Nassau, Bahamas next year May. I quote PM Christie now: Bahamasair and Air Cubana need to be further expanded to facilitate tourism, travel and international trade.
The Bahamas, like Cuba, is also interested in seeking out new strategic partnerships for investment in renewable energy… We have also noted with satisfaction that talks are ongoing towards the finalization of a CARICOM-Cuba Trade Agreement. At a bilateral level, I am advised that negotiations for two Bahamas/Cuba Agreements for Cooperation in Animal Health and Plant Health are now well advanced…. I also note with gratitude other areas of bilateral technical cooperation between Cuba and The Bahamas including: the training of language and special education teachers; access to excellent health care services, including the Operation “Miracle Eye” programme; and educational and scholarship offers as well.”
