Summary Pritzker and US Commerce and Treasury department officials will meet Cuban officials
HAVANA (AFP) - US Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker is expected to arrive Tuesday in Cuba to discuss recent measures taken by the United States to ease economic restrictions against the communist island.
During her two-day trip, Pritzker and US Commerce and Treasury department officials will meet with Cuban officials and business leaders, Havana and Washington announced in separate press releases.
US officials will have the opportunity to "describe the recent changes made to rules governing trade, financial transactions and travel with respect to Cuba," the US Department of Commerce said.
Since the historic thaw between the two countries was announced in late 2014, the administration of US President Barack Obama has eased trade restrictions on Cuba twice, in January and then September.
The moves further erode sanctions in place since the early 1960s, but they do not lift the US economic embargo, which can only be removed by Congress, whose Republican majority remains hostile to the idea.
Faced with congressional recalcitrance, Cuba would like to see the White House further ease financial and trade restrictions.
On Tuesday, Pritzker will visit Cuba s massive Mariel port and industrial park, located some 30 miles (50 kilometers) from Havana.
Cuban authorities opened the port in early 2014, with hopes that it will become one of the Caribbean s largest commercial and industrial hubs.
