Jose A. Aquino – Page 3 – Duane Morris on Cuba, Puerto Rico & the Caribbean

January 12, 2015June 4, 2015 by Jose A. Aquino

US Agriculture Coalition for Cuba Takes Off With the Goal of Normalizing Relations Between the United States and Cuba

On December 17, 2014, President Barack Obama announced that the United States would restore diplomatic relations with Cuba and reverse a more than 50-year policy of isolation. President Obama’s move to establish relations and ease sanctions against Cuba stirred the interest of U.S. business. In particular, the American agricultural industry, which is anxious to increase its market share of the Cuban food market, has led the support for President Obama’s decision to normalize relations with Cuba.[1]

On January 8, 2015, more than 25 companies and farm trade associations joined together at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. to launch the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba. The goal of the Coalition is to promote collaborative action for improved agricultural trade relations with Cuba. The Coalition believes that the improvement of agricultural trade between the U.S. and Cuba is the foundation for building successful and enduring relations between both countries. Continue reading “US Agriculture Coalition for Cuba Takes Off With the Goal of Normalizing Relations Between the United States and Cuba”

December 18, 2014June 4, 2015 by Jose A. Aquino

U.S. Business Embraces President’s Plan For A New Course On Cuba

Yesterday, President Obama announced wide-ranging adjustments of US policy towards Cuba including opening an embassy in Havana. The Obama Plan involves a series of measures aimed at increasing trade between the two countries. The basic premise of the plan is to permit certain exports to Cuba, relax restrictions on financial transactions and repeal limits on remittances to the island. Secretary of State, John Kerry, will begin to implement the initiative. He is to “immediately initiate discussions with Cuba on the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba.”

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June 13, 2013June 4, 2015 by Jose A. Aquino

Puerto Rico And Peru Sign Memorandum To Reinforce Commercial Interactions

In a ceremony attended by President Ollanta Humala and Governor Alejandro García Padilla, on June 11th, the governments of Peru and Puerto Rico signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at promoting their commercial and educational dealings. Among other things, the memorandum indicates that they intend to “strengthen and promote business development, knowledge transfer and cooperation in medical services, education and infrastructure.” Further, Puerto Rico is looking to Peru to help it to expand medical tourism, agricultural trade and cultural projects. As part of the memorandum they will create a working group that will look to follow up on the agreements.

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April 8, 2013June 4, 2015 by Jose A. Aquino

Cuba Prepares For Its First Free-Trade Manufacturing Zone

The Cuban government recently issued rules and regulations for companies that will operate in the first free-trade manufacturing zone in Cuba. Located in the Port of Mariel, thirty miles west of Havana, the Mariel Special Development Zone will house manufacturing plants that assemble and make products for both domestic and international markets, as well as a megaport designed to eventually replace freight operations at the Port of Havana which cannot accommodate large ships. A highway and railroad infrastructure is also being built to provide access to the zone.

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April 1, 2013September 22, 2015 by Jose A. Aquino

Puerto Rico District Court Discusses Judicial Preference For Alternative Dispute Resolution

A recent decision of the United States District for the District of Puerto Rico examines the standard of review of an arbitration award. In Union de Periodistas de Artes Graficas y Ramas Anexas v. Telemundo de Puerto Rico, Inc.[i], Telemundo de Puerto Rico, Inc. (“Telemundo”), a Spanish language television network, centralized its Houston, San Antonio and Puerto Rico master control and editing work in Miami to take advantage of new technologies. The change made it possible for Telemundo’s Puerto Rico subsidiary to switch from a twenty-four hour manual operation to an automated system, such that personnel in Miami operate the automated system for the Puerto Rico Station, as well as the stations in San Antonio and Houston.

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February 27, 2013June 4, 2015 by Jose A. Aquino

Puerto Rico’s Public Energy Policy Continues To Seek Solutions To The High Cost Of Powering The Island

High energy costs has long been recognized as one of the biggest obstacles to doing business in Puerto Rico. The cost of energy on the island is almost twice as much as in the U.S. mainland. Mindful that Puerto Rico’s energy policy is a critical component of the island’s successful economic future, the government set in motion the certain steps to diversify power production by fostering renewable energy projects on the island. In July 2010, then governor Luis Fortuño signed into law the Act for a Public Policy for Energy Diversification Through Sustainable and Alternative Renewable Energy (the “Energy Diversification Act”) and the Green Energy Incentives Act (the “Incentives Act”) which firmed up Puerto Rico’s position regarding the need for clean renewable energy. The legislation set specific renewable energy production goals and established economic incentives to enable the island to meet those goals.

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