[November 29, 2008] Cda-Cuba-Trade Tweet (Broadcast News Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) OTTAWA -- Cuba's trade minister says the Caribbean nation is seeking more business with Canada to bolster his country's economy during the global economic crisis. Raul de la Nuez told The Canadian Press he hopes to boost the volume of trade between the two countries in the months ahead. De la Nuez met this week with his Canadian counterpart, International Trade Minister Stockwell Day, as well as Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. A spokeswoman for Day says the two ministers spoke about Canada supplanting Spain as Cuba's third-largest trading partner, and about the growing number of Canadian tourists vacationing there. Day also assured De la Neuz that Canada would make every effort to ease exports of agricultural goods and fertilizer to Cuba after three massive hurricanes swept over the island in the last two months. De la Neuz says there's a need in Cuba for food, chemicals, fertilizers, machinery and commercial and high-tech equipment from Canada. In exchange, he says Cuba can provide Canada with nickel and ore concentrate, cigars and other traditional Cuban products. Trade between Canada and Cuba totalled 1.6 (b) billion dollars last year. (The Canadian Press) PTH Copyright ? 2008 The Canadian Press [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]