Havana, October 2 (RHC)-- A 40-member Puerto Rican trade delegation is currently visiting Cuba to identify business opportunities in a follow-up on a prior mission that came to Havana in 2014, before Cuba and the U.S. reestablished diplomatic relations.

The President of Puerto Rico´s Association of Industries Carlos Rivera said that the trip is a joint effort with the Puerto Rican government to foster exports as he also praised the role of State Secretary David Bernier, who presided a recent news conference in San Juan about this event.

Puerto Rico must become a major commercial partner of Cuba, particularly due to our common history and our mutual support. This must be a two-way relationship; we must sell from Cuba and sell Cuba, said Bernier.

The Puerto Rican government made the contacts with Cuba and arranged the official welcome of the delegation at the U.S. embassy in Havana.

The Puerto Rican entrepreneurs, who represent 24 companies, will meet with Cuban business people and government officials. They will also visit the Special Development Zone at the western Mariel harbor and tourist projects.

Meanwhile, the president of the Internationalization Committee of Puerto Rico´s Industries Association, Waleska Rivera, said that they have to bet to Cuba now, since there are others who will do it first and it will be too late.

She added that the visit will allow Puerto Rican entrepreneurs to meet the Cuban people and learn about the local business opportunities.