Cuba and Barbuda-Antigua Will Boost Tourism through Direct Flights

An important result of the 4th Cuba-Antigua and Barbuda Joint Commission is the commencement of direct flights between the two countries to boost tourism destinations in the area.

The accords were signed under the guidance and wisdom of President Fidel Castro, whose comprehensive vision has contributed to improve health services in Antigua and Barbuda, that country´s Prime Minister maintained.

Cuba should have a more active role in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) because it has contributed so much to regional economic and social growth, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer stated on Friday.

Baldwin Spencer signed agreements with Cuban Foreign Investment and Economic Collaboration Minister Marta Lomas, at the closing of the 4th Cuba-Antigua and Barbuda Joint Commission.

The accord envisages cooperation in health, higher education, tourism, culture and civil aviation, and demonstrated both sides´ commitment to the improvement of relations and regional integration.

Under the agreement, Havana will donate a comprehensive diagnosis center, including an intensive care and a rehabilitation unit, and Cuban artist Andres Gonzalez will create a sculpture of Antigua and Barbuda´s sportsman and national hero Vivian Richards.

In education, Cuba will offer 50 scholarships per year until 2009. Between 1961 to 2004, 29 professionals from Antigua and Barbuda graduated in Cuba.

Both sides also agreed on scholarships to train tourism workers. Spencer´s first official tour of Havana as Prime Minister began on Monday, to strengthen bilateral relations established in April 1994.