Havana, November 23 (RHC)-- Mexico's Agriculture, Ranching, Fishing and Food Secretary Jose Calzada is paying a working visit to Cuba beginning Monday to explore new opportunities of trade and cooperation with the island.

The Mexican government official is scheduled to meet in Havana with the ministers of Food, Foreign Trade and Investment, and Agriculture. Secretary Sagarpa said the visit will include a technical meeting to address bilateral cooperation, trade and investment between the two countries, as well as ways to strengthen institutional relations.

Mexico is interested in supporting Cuban efforts to enhance the agri-food sector, the development of technical capacities, agricultural research and basic resources, as well as technology transfer and best practices. Also on the agenda for discussion are issues relevant to the fishing sector, particularly the exchange of experience and fishing programs dealing with reproductive management and genetics.

According to the minister's statements, Mexico is interested in taking part in investment projects in the areas of livestock, agricultural sanitary inspection at the Special Development Zone in the western Cuban harbor of Mariel.

During his visit to the island, Minister Calzada will extend an invitation for Cuban authorities to attend the Regional Conference of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization to take place in February in Mexico City.