Havana, October 8 (RHC)-- The ministers of trade of Cuba and the United States, Rodrigo Malmierca and Penny Pritzker, expressed on Wednesday their interest in identifying ways that make it possible to boost bilateral exchanges, limited by the persistence of the economic, commercial and financial blockade against the island.

After receiving Pritzker and her delegation, Malmierca stressed the interest generated around the meeting, which seeks to identify ways the impact of regulations adopted to modify some aspects of the blockade, and formulate the path chosen by both countries to normalize their relations.

Malmierca said that Cuba knows it will not be an easy process and there are many differences, but the willingness of doing it together exists. The Cuban minister insisted that Obama still has presidential powers and prerogatives which, if used, could substantially modify the implementation of the blockade imposed on Cuba for over half a century by the White House.

Pritzker, the second senior U.S. cabinet member traveling to the island after the official reestablishment of diplomatic relations –- the first one was John Kerry, Secretary of State -- welcomed the decision of the presidents of Cuba and the U.S. to initiate a path towards better links.