• Submitted by: lena campos
• Havana
• 02 / 01 / 2013

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Cuban President Raul Castro and former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva toured areas of the port facilities at Mariel, in the western province of Artemisa.

"This is the most complex work that has begun in Cuba," said the Cuban statesman, referring to the buildings that will turn the port into the main entry and exit point for the island's foreign trade, Granma newspaper reported today.

Raul Castro spoke with Lula on the strategic importance of this port not only for the Caribbean nation, but also for the region, and referred to the country's investment development and other elements in the updating of the Cuban economic model.

Speaking to the press, the former Brazilian statesman stated that the work is progressing dramatically.

According to the daily, the financing of this investment is partially covered with a loan from the government of Brazil, and its implementation corresponds to the International Economic Association created by the construction firm Quality (Cuba) and COI, from Brazil. The General Director of the Mariel-DIP company, Osvaldo Bravo, said that this investment project is the beginning of the country's First Special Development Zone, with about 465 square kilometers.

The completion of this work will increase exports, assist in effective replacement of imports, the development of high-tech projects and others, all of which will contribute significantly to the creation of new jobs, he said.

Bravo said the future container terminal is central to the Special Development Area. It will link up with different development areas and industries that are planned in the area, through a road, rail and high performance communications.

He also recalled that the expansion of the Panama Canal in 2015 will involve a new scenario for maritime trade in the Caribbean Basin, which will increase the use of Post Panamax vessels. Before the year ends, a portion of the facilities, including the first 700 meters of quay, will begin operating, while construction work will continue.
 
Source: Prensa Latina