Venezuelan businesses signed deals to sell US$36.7 million worth of goods to Cuba Thursday that will include exports of shoes, underwear, artificial leather and industrial products to the communist country "The businesses were satisfied, they were given financial advice and they will be accompanied through the whole process so that they can respond to Cuban demand," said minister of light industries Edmee Betancourt in a statement following the forum.
| "Por favor, señor, you have parts for a '58 Chevy?" |
And the Cuban products in demand are ... um ... that is ...
Betancourt said Tuesday that the Venezuelan government was willing to provide financing to companies that have signed deals to export goods to Cuba but need more capital to increase production.
Ties between the two countries have tightened under the administration of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, an admirer of Cuban President Fidel Castro. Venezuela, the world's fifth-largest petroleum exporter, already ships about 90,000 barrels of oil a day to the Cuban government on preferential terms.