San Juan, May 1 (RHC) -- The Jamaican government announced Thursday the strengthening of trade relations with Cuba through a bilateral accord, EFE news agency reported.

The agreement emerged after a delegation of Jamaican officials and business leaders traveled to Cuba, the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton, said in a statement.

Hylton said he has invited Cuba's Trade and Investment Minister, Rodrigo Malmierca, to visit Jamaica in September for further discussions.

Havana and Kingston are aiming to develop a "framework agreement" between Jamaica's Special Economic Zone and Cuba's Mariel Special Economic Development Zone, the minister said.