OFFICIAL representatives of Japan and Cuba expressed a will to
                   work towards an increased dynamism in relations between the two
                   countries.

                   During a seminar in Havana to discuss Cuban-Japanese ties, José A.
                   Guerra Menchero, Cuban deputy minister for foreign affairs,
                   highlighted the great development potential presented by relations
                   with the Asian nation, although the process of finalizing new business
                   deals is very slow.

                   He highlighted the Community Aid Plan, via which 12 Japanese
                   cooperation projects are in progress, among them aid for sustainable
                   development in Cocodrilo locality, Isle of Youth, and the beginning of
                   the cleaning of Havana Bay.

                   On a different note, he recalled that in January 2000 both
                   governments decided to support an agreement for reprogramming
                   the island’s short-term debt, which facilities a 360-day exportation
                   insurance from Japan to Cuba for $125 million USD.

                   Japan, the second world economic power, is showing interest in and
                   paying attention to Cuban realities and, according to Matsuo
                   Mabuchi, Japanese ambassador to Cuba, is to expand and deepen
                   exchanges in various fields. He also expressed his country’s desire to
                   strengthen cooperation, especially in the environmental and
                   agricultural areas.

                   Mabuchi announced that Japan intends to increase technical aid in the
                   agricultural sector, particularly in rice production, bearing in mind its
                   technical expertise in that cultivation.

                   Reviewing the development of ties with Cuba, he referred to efforts
                   made by both governments to recuperate the active economic
                   relation sustained in the ’70s and ’80s. He considered Japan’s
                   participation in the Havana Trades Fair and the increase of Japanese
                   tourists to Cuba as positive signs. In the latter sphere, Japan is a
                   latent market with 17 million of its citizens traveling abroad per year.

                   If only 1% of that total visited Cuba it would be a great contribution,
                   Mabuchi affirmed. He added that a total of 9,300 Japanese traveled
                   to the island to experience the reality of Cuban society, different
                   from any other in the world. "I would like Japanese people to see it
                   with their own eyes," he affirmed.

                   As an example, he cited the current tripartite agreement between
                   Honduras, Japan and Cuba through which Tokyo provides medicines
                   and medical equipment to the Honduran San Francisco Hospital
                   where Cuban doctors are working. Similarly, he pointed out that
                   cultural exchange occupies an important position in the two nations’
                   diplomacy. After reiterating the will of both countries to develop
                   economic relations, he revealed that obstacles still exist on both
                   sides, citing as the most difficult different approaches to doing
                   business. He subsequently highlighted the need to improve Japanese
                   knowledge of advanced Cuban sectors like biotechnology and
                   medical assistance.

                   The international Cuba-Japan workshop, hosted by the Center for
                   Asian and Oceanic Studies and the Japan Foundation, covered a wide
                   agenda including economic and cultural activities and other sectors in
                   the Asian power.