Rio, May 11, 2004 (Agência Brasil) - The Cuban government wants to expand the number of mixed Cuban-Brazilian companies. Although Cuba has approximately 400 joint-capital firms with various countries around the world, the partnership with Brazilian entrepreneurs has so far resulted in the constitution of only 2 mixed companies, Busscar, which manufactures tourist buses, and Souza Cruz, which makes cigarillos. This information comes from the Cuban Ambassador to Brazil, Pedro Nuñes Mosquera.

Expanding joint investments and bilateral trade is the principal theme of "Expo-Cuba" and the "Cuba-Brazil Business Encounter," events that begin today in the Rio de Janeiro Federation of Industries (Firjan), under the sponsorship of the International Business Center of Brazil, together with the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Trade.

According to data provided by the Firjan, trade between Brazil and Cuba amounted to approximately US$ 91 million in 2003. Brazil exported US$ 71 million, which represent 0.1% of the country's total foreign sales. Imported goods from Cuba totaled US$ 22 million.

The chief Brazilian products purchased by Cuba last year were soy oil (US$ 2.1 million), chicken parts (US$ 1.9 million), and automobiles (US$ 945 thousand). For its part, Cuba sold nickel, cigars, medicines for human and animal care, naphtha, educational programs, cigarettes, and cement to Brazil.

Translator: David Silberstein