Cuba seeks Malaysia’s support to get US trade blockade lifting

Cuba is seeking Malaysia’s support to get the US’s lifting of its five-decade long trade embargo against the country.

According to Malaysia’s “The Star” newspaper, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, who is currently visiting Cuba, said the Latin American country believes that the support of the international community is crucial to help it achieve progress in this matter.

Speaking to the press after meeting with his Cuban counterpart Ana Teresita Gonzalez Fraga in the Cuban capital city of Havana on August 31, Anifar expressed high hope that the resumption of Cuba- US ties following its severance 54 years ago is a major development that leads to rapid growth in Cuba while bringing about numerous benefits to the Caribbean nation.

He said during the meeting, the two sides agreed on the need to explore new cooperation areas and Gonzalez invited Malaysian companies to take part in the annual Havana International Trade Fair and connect with other Latin American countries.

Cuba’s recently implemented investment law will attract Malaysian investors, he added.

Cuba and the US restored diplomatic relations on July 20, 2015 and re-opened their embassies in Washington DC and Havana, but a trade blockade is still in effect pending the US Congress’s approval for removal.-VNA