Cuba and South Africa signed the Agreement on Economic Assistance SOUTH AFRICA, February 3rd, 2012 .- The Governments of Cuba and South Africa signed today the Agreement of Economic Assistance that will facilitate a package to Cuba valued in 350 million rands (35 million Euros) from which 210 million Rands will be a credit line. The Agreement was signed by the Honourable Dr. Rob Davies, Minister of Trade and Industry of South Africa, while H.E. Mr. Angel Villa signed from the Cuban side. During the opening remarks prior to the signing of the document, Dr. Davies expressed the happiness of his Government for the possibility to assist Cuba in a certain way because of the historic contribution of that country to the end of apartheid after the campaign in Angola, as well as in reason of the necessity to boost the bilateral trade. The Minister indicated that this process of the economic package was started during the State Visit that President Jacob Zuma paid to Cuba in December 2010. Then, the Cuban Ambassador replied by saying that the signing ceremony takes place exactly on the date of the 50th infamous anniversary of the beginning of the US commercial embargo against Cuba which gives more importance to the gesture of South Africa where two sister nations took a sovereign decision to engage in compliance of the international trade lows. Furthermore, the Cuban diplomat expressed appreciation top South Africa for the immediate possibility to benefit the Cuban agriculture and trade. After the interaction with the Media present, both parties indicated that products of the Cuban bio-pharmaceutical industry will be among the first to reach the South African market, as well as other requested items such as the guayaberas (Cuban shirt). Very recently, the Cuban beers arrived to the South African market to join the rum, cigars and vaccines which have been promoted for some times. At the end of the ceremony, the South African Minister reiterated the opposition of his country to the unfair embargo policy against Cuba by saying the South Africa will continue expressing its rejection in all possible political fora and in a practical way as they did with this Agreement. (Cubaminrex/Embacuba South Africa)
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