Authorizing more airports for travel to Cuba is a good step

<p style="text-align: justify;">Friday, March 11, 2011. The Obama administration continues to move in the right direction by easing travel restrictions to Cuba, and the latest policy change will directly benefit New Orleans.The administration this week announced that it will allow charter flights to and from the island from nine airports, including Louis Armstrong International in Kenner, Tampa, Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Atlanta and others. Previously, only Los Angeles, New York and Miami could provide service to Cuba. Read More

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Venezuela, Cuba, Angola set up oil JV

<p style="text-align: justify;">Nearly a year after announcing the deal, state company PdVSA, CubaPetróleo and Angolan state company Sonangol signed an agreement in Caracas that sets up a three-way joint venture for oil production in two oil fields in Venezuela’s Orinoco basin.Venangocupet is 60-percent owned by PDVSA; Cupet and Sonangol each control 20 percent.The joint venture will produce oil in the Migas and Melones fields, which currently yield 20,000 barrels per day. The fields are expected to produce up to 60,000 bpd, according to Eulogio Del Pino, president of PdVSA subsidiary Corporación Venezolana de Petróleo. Read More

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Too many vendors spreading too fast

<p style="text-align: justify;">Hawkers are warned not to create urban blight. A word of caution to street vendors: Be neat. An article in Friday's Granma reminds self-employed entrepreneurs that, if they sell wares or food on city streets, they must observe the laws of both zoning and esthetics.Before turning public spaces "into chaotic marketplaces," vendors need to get a license from the Institute of Physical Planning, the newspaper says. Most importantly, they must read and apply the IPP regulations. Read More

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Changes to the U.S./Cuba Travel Policy

<p style="text-align: justify;">March 11th, 2011. By Shannon Noelle. Last month the Obama Administration announced a plan to ease the United States’ travel policy with Cuba. Students and church groups are now being permitted to visit the Caribbean country. The money restriction has also been increased allowing Americans to send as much as $500 dollars every three weeks to Cuban friends and family.“It’s going to help the interaction between regular Cubans and U.S. citizens." Read More

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