Cuba rues low volume of trade with Nigeria, blames U.S. embargo

The low volume of trade between Cuba and other countries in Africa is due to the embargo placed on Cuba by the United States of America (USA), the Ambassador of Cuba to Nigeria, Clara Pulido-Escandell, has said.

Speaking in Abuja during an encounter with the media, the Ambassador urged Nigerian companies and their Cuban counterparts to work smartly to expand trading areas.

She said: “This is an area in which we have to work more, the Cuban companies and the Nigerian companies, to look for how to increase trade between the two countries. It is a very small relationship in the commercial area.

“In the area of medicine, in previous times, there have been two experiences where Cuba Medical Brigades came to Nigeria. Secondly, about 15 years ago, more or less, there was also a second Cuban Medical Brigade that worked in Ekiti State. It was a special programme for eye surgery.

“Despite the low trade, we have had cooperation in the area of health in two aspects. One was for the training of healthcare personnel in Cuba. More than 100 Nigerians have studied medicine in Cuba. Though it is not a big figure, it is relevant.”

Pulido-Escandell said the embargo against Cuba precludes the use of the dollar in its economic transaction. She noted that the sanctions meted out to companies that transact business with Cuba by the US government are a major stumbling block that restricts Cuba from active participation in global trade.

She said: “By American law, I am not talking about a theoretical issue. I am saying this because several companies or banks belonging to third countries have had to face trial in the US territory or have been notified that they have to pay back a huge amount of money because of this relationship. So, that is something that discourages people from doing business with Cuba.

“The minimal trade between Cuba and Nigeria currently is mainly conducted by private companies in Nigeria. So, they have found a way to do business with Cuba without violating any relation with the US.”

Pulido-Escandell said if Cuba could achieve high development indices, Nigeria could achieve the same by rising above factors militating against its development.

In her words: “If Cuba, which is a small country, underdeveloped, with very few natural resources, and suffering a serious blockade can develop its biotechnology and vaccines, I am convinced that Nigeria, a great country with a lot of human resources, with a lot of natural resources, with a lot of capacities, can also do it.”