(2 Nov 2010) SHOTLIST
1. Wide of exterior of Havana International Trade Fair
2. Wide of opening ceremony
3. Mid of Cuban authorities and Rodrigo Malmierca, Cuban Minister for Foreign Trade at podium
4. Mid of officials (left to right) Jose Ramon Fernandez, Vice President of Cuban Council of Ministers, Ricardo Cabrisas, Vice President of Cuban Council of Ministers, Ulises Rosales, former Cuban Agriculture Minister and Fidel Castro Diaz Balart, eldest son of Fidel Castro, in background
5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Rodrigo Malmierca, Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade:
"Neither the strong economic, commercial and financial Blockade of the United States of America, that has lasted over 50 years, neither the international economic crisis of recent times have been able to decrease the interest of the international business community to the opportunities offered by Cuba."
6. Push in on Cabrisas, Fernandez and Rosales cutting ribbon
7. Push in on Malmierca talking to Brazilian authorities
8. Tilt down of North American products on stand
9. Wide of US stand
10. Mid of US products
11. Push in on trader with US and Cuban flags on his t-shirt
12. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Maria Conchita Mendez, Trade Development and Sales Director of Alabama Port:
"As traders we are sending a message that trade between Cuba and the United States is very important and should be from both sides. The US imports and the exports from Cuba to the United States are trading opportunities."
13. Wide of US Stand and sign in background reading (English) "Ocean Shipping Services. USA/CUBA"
14. Tilt down "Habanos S.A." Stand
15. Wide of "Havana Club" Stand
16. Pull out of Cuban stands
STORYLINE
Cuba hosted the 28th International Fair in Havana on Monday with the country's Minister for Foreign Trade reporting improved export figures.
Rodrigo Malmierca said that the country's exports had risen 21 percent in the first nine months of the year, while imports were up only one percent.
"Neither the strong economic, commercial and financial Blockade of the United States of America, that has lasted over 50 years, nor the international economic crisis of recent times have been able to decrease the interest of the international business community to the opportunities offered by Cuba," Malmierca said.
Malmierca said that more than 300 foreign companies were investing in Cuba.
No Cuban officials were available to say how many US companies had signed up to participate in the trade fair, but a stand with US products was set up at the fair.
"As traders we are sending a message that trade between Cuba and the United States is very important and should be from both sides. The US imports and the exports from Cuba to the United States are trading opportunities,"said Maria Conchita Mendez, Trade Development and Sales Director of Alabama Port.
In 2009, official figures showed that US purchases totalled 729 (m) million US dollars, down 30 percentage from the previous year.
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