Havana, March 5 (RHC) – Nearly 100 U.S. business representatives and members of the U.S. Agricultural Coalition for Cuba (USACC) concluded a visit to Cuba on Wednesday, having toured agricultural enterprises and exchanged views with local farmers and agribusiness executives.

The agricultural representatives were on a four-day visit to the Caribbean island to discuss ideas and get a first-hand look at farming facilities and fields in the Western provinces of Mayabeque, Artemisa and Pinar del Río.

Agricultural entrepreneurs from 30 states arrived last Sunday and voiced their interest to approach Cuba and explore opportunities for trade and exchange with local producers.

USACC president Devry Baughner said the goal was to understand how the national agro-industry works and convey their position in favor of lifting the U.S. economic blockade of Cuba. Although they considered it was too soon to discuss business opportunities, they described the first contact as “very positive and helpful” for their understanding of Cuba's reality. And most of them agreed there is huge potential for development in the sector they represent, with benefits for both parties.

U.S. farmers see great economic opportunities on the island, as it spends some 2 billion USD on food imports a year, half of which could be U.S. products if trade restrictions were to be lifted.