Havana, Mar 19, (RHC), -- A British Trade and Investment mission is expected to visit Cuba April 27-30 to explore opportunities to increase commercial relations, according to an announcement by the British embassy in Havana.

According to the announcement, the high-level trade and investment mission will be led by Lord Hutton of Furnes, chairman of the Cuba Initiative, which is promoting the participation of British entrepreneurs on the trip.

The visit will take place under the auspices of the Cuban side of Cuban Initiative which is chaired by the Minister of Foreign Investment and Trade, Rodrigo Malmierca, the announcement explains and adds that participants in the mission will be able to meet Cuban ministers and senior decision-makers in state-owned and autonomous enterprises.

The information also explains that this visit will take place “at an important time, when Cuban relations with the US, the EU and the UK are evolving.”

The announcement also stresses the opportunities being offered by Cuba for trade and investment, the highly educated workforce; significant prospects in a range of sectors including energy, mining, tourism, biotechnology, agribusiness, manufacturing, transport and industry; growing interest from companies in Europe and the US; and a renewed effort from the Cuban Government to attract and welcome foreign investment.

Also accompanying is a list of the sector and projects identified by Cuba for possible foreign investment projects.

According to the British Council webpage, the Cuba Initiative was founded in 1995 in response to a request from the Governments of the United Kingdom and Cuba for an independent, bi-lateral, non-governmental body able to support and develop programs that enhance the UK-Cuban relationship.

The principal focus of the Cuba Initiative is on trade and investment.

The present Chairman of the UK-side of the Initiative is the Rt. Hon. Lord Hutton of Furness and similar body in Havana is chaired by Rodrigo Malmierca, Minister for Trade and Investment.