Havana, April 29 (RHC-Xinhua) -- British business leaders met with their Cuban counterparts Tuesday in Havana as part of a business forum designed to boost bilateral trade.

Representatives from both countries "reaffirmed their willingness to strengthen cooperation in priority sectors, such as energy, construction and tourism," according to the daily Granma newspaper.

 The 30-member British delegation, which will be in Cuba through Thursday, is led by Lord Hutton of Furness, President of the Cuba Initiative group, and includes business leaders and officials from the London Chamber of Commerce.

“We enthusiastically welcome the presence of this large delegation of British business people, particularly in the current context in which Cuba renews its efforts to attract foreign investment," according to a press release issued by the office of British Ambassador to Cuba Tim Cole.

"We are convinced that there is great potential to develop and further advance the commercial ties between our two countries in key areas," Cole added, underscoring the existence of a highly qualified workforce in Cuba.

 The visit by the British business group coincided with another by an Italian delegation and a trade mission from the U.S. state of Texas.