Wednesday, October 14, 2015
YOUNGSTOWN
U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, state Rep. Sean O’Brien and a group of Northeast Ohio business officials are in Cuba today in an effort to open up a potential new trade market with the Communist country.
“This is a very historic moment to lead this type of delegation,” O’Brien, of Bazetta, D-63rd, said Tuesday. “This is one of the first” visits by an American business delegation to Cuba since the United States officially reestablished diplomatic relations with Cuba in July. They were cut in 1961.
Also, President Barack Obama has relaxed some travel restrictions making this trip to Cuba possible, and has called for Congress to lift the 54-year-old U.S. trade embargo. Most trade is still unable to happen because of the embargo.
“The No. 1 word here is opportunity,” said Ryan, of Howland, D-13th.
The itinerary includes meeting with U.S. diplomats at the American embassy, visiting an economic development zone, discussing the legalities of foreign investments, going to small businesses owned by private investors and state-owned retail shops.
The delegation will leave Cuba on Sunday morning.
The two politicians and Northeast Ohio business leaders met in July with Cuban officials in Washington to discuss potential trade between the Mahoning Valley and Cuba, and this trip.
“We’re on the cutting edge of taking advantage of a new opportunity,” Ryan said, adding, “Cuba is frozen in 1959.”
The island nation needs major construction projects such as roads, bridges and houses as well as health care, education and technology, Ryan said.
“We want to be facilitators for our business folks,” he said.
Among those joining Ryan and O’Brien are Sam Covelli, owner and operator of Covelli Enterprises; Ron Klingle, chief executive officer and chairman of Avalon Holdings Corp.; and Ted Bloom, owner of Bloom Industries Inc.