Cuba, China sign agreement to boost cooperation in energy sector
20 December 2007
BBC News
Havana, 19 December: Cuba and China agreed to boost economic and commercial relations in the energy sector after signing a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday in Beijing.
The document was signed by Cuban Minister of Government Ricardo Cabrisas and Xie Zhenhua, vice president of China's National Commission for Development and Reform (CNDR).
According to a Prensa Latina report, the two parties decided to lead cooperation projects related to renewable energy and energy savings into a new stage. This would entail exchange of information about policies, strategies, technologies, projects and training.
Representatives from both countries said strengthening energy collaboration is of the utmost importance for the economic development of their respective nations.
Present at the signing ceremony were Coordinator for Renewable Energy Projects Manuel Menendez, Foreign Investment Minister Ramon Ripoll Diaz, Cuban Ambassador to China Carlos Miguel Pereira and other government officials from the two signing parties.
Cabrisas travelled to Beijing heading a delegation to the 20th Session of the China-Cuba Intergovernmental Commission beginning December 20.
CNDR and the Cuban Ministry of Basic Industry are the responsible authorities to implement the actions set out in the document.
Source: ACN news agency, Havana, in English 19 Dec 07
