Washington:
The United States further eased restrictions on business and travel with Cuba on Friday, as it presses forward in rebuilding long-frozen relations with its former Cold War foe.
Two months after formally restoring diplomatic relations with Havana, the US made it easier for Americans to establish and operate businesses in Cuba, increased remittance limits, and widened travel opportunities to the Caribbean island nation.
The new moves further break down the sanctions that were in place since the early 1960s until President Barack Obama reversed course by announcing an opening to the communist country last December.
The changes issued by the Treasury and Commerce Departments removed limits on remittances from the United States to Cuba, as well as on the amount of money people hand-carry to Cuba.
Authorized US travelers to Cuba will be able to open bank accounts there, to form joint ventures with Cuban firms, open offices, warehouses, and retail outlets.
"A stronger, more open US-Cuba relationship has the potential to create economic opportunities for both Americans and Cubans alike," said Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew.
"By further easing these sanctions, the United States is helping to support the Cuban people in their effort to achieve the political and economic freedom necessary to build a democratic, prosperous, and stable Cuba."
The new moves expand on earlier easings of trade and travel relations begun in January, and take effect on Monday.
They allow Cubans traveling to the United States to open bank accounts; allow any American to do business with Cubans outside of Cuba; and further ease restrictions on companies providing air and sea travel services to Cuba.
They clarify that those authorized to open offices and businesses in Cuba include US exporters of permitted goods like farm products and construction materials, providers of telecommunications and Internet services; news bureaus, and education and religious groups.
Even so, regularly scheduled air flights to the country are still not allowed; travel to Cuba remains restricted to "authorized travelers" and not general tourism and trade; and there are still significant restrictions on the sale of many of US goods to Cuba.
But in a move that could be a step toward regular flights and travel eventually, the new rules also permit the sale of a wide range of civil aviation-related goods that will help Cuban airlines improve their safety and operating standards, like safety equipment, aircraft parts, software and technology, and security screening equipment.
Two months after formally restoring diplomatic relations with Havana, the US made it easier for Americans to establish and operate businesses in Cuba, increased remittance limits, and widened travel opportunities to the Caribbean island nation.
The new moves further break down the sanctions that were in place since the early 1960s until President Barack Obama reversed course by announcing an opening to the communist country last December.
The changes issued by the Treasury and Commerce Departments removed limits on remittances from the United States to Cuba, as well as on the amount of money people hand-carry to Cuba.
Authorized US travelers to Cuba will be able to open bank accounts there, to form joint ventures with Cuban firms, open offices, warehouses, and retail outlets.
"A stronger, more open US-Cuba relationship has the potential to create economic opportunities for both Americans and Cubans alike," said Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew.
"By further easing these sanctions, the United States is helping to support the Cuban people in their effort to achieve the political and economic freedom necessary to build a democratic, prosperous, and stable Cuba."
The new moves expand on earlier easings of trade and travel relations begun in January, and take effect on Monday.
They allow Cubans traveling to the United States to open bank accounts; allow any American to do business with Cubans outside of Cuba; and further ease restrictions on companies providing air and sea travel services to Cuba.
They clarify that those authorized to open offices and businesses in Cuba include US exporters of permitted goods like farm products and construction materials, providers of telecommunications and Internet services; news bureaus, and education and religious groups.
Even so, regularly scheduled air flights to the country are still not allowed; travel to Cuba remains restricted to "authorized travelers" and not general tourism and trade; and there are still significant restrictions on the sale of many of US goods to Cuba.
But in a move that could be a step toward regular flights and travel eventually, the new rules also permit the sale of a wide range of civil aviation-related goods that will help Cuban airlines improve their safety and operating standards, like safety equipment, aircraft parts, software and technology, and security screening equipment.
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