Port officials head to Cuba to explore service options

Port officials head to Cuba to explore service options
Trade among topics that could be discussed
By Fanny S. Chirinos (Contact)
Friday, May 29, 2009

CORPUS CHRISTI — Port of Corpus Christi officials will be in Cuba next
week working to establish regular vessel service to the Caribbean
island. Corpus Christi was the first U.S. port to sign a memorandum of
understanding with Cuba in 2003.

Port chairman Ruben Bonilla plans to capitalize on the continuous
relationship with officials with Alimport, Cuba's port import company.

Bonilla hopes to continue discussions about a triangular trade, a
concept that takes U.S. products from the port to Cuba, takes Cuban
products to Mexico or a South American country and brings Mexican or
South American products back to Corpus Christi.

"Corpus Christi is a commonplace name in Cuba," Bonilla said. "We have
established a relationship that is not fleeting. It's a permanent bond
that can only help our community's economic growth."

Also making the trip are port commissioner Richard M. Borchard; Tom
Moore, the port's manager of Naval Station Ingleside redevelopment;
Maggie Inglesias-Turner, the port's business development representative;
and Ruben Medina, the port's business development manager.

Port officials head to Cuba to explore service options : Corpus Christi
Local Business | Caller-Times | (30 May 2009)

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