Louisiana delegation returns from Cuba, waiting for U.S. to change policies

Gov. John Bel Edwards returned from a five-day trip to Cuba on Friday night (Oct. 7) without much concrete in terms of economic development to announce, though the governor said the relationship between Louisiana and the island nation had strengthened over the course of the week.

Edwards signed memorandums of understanding with Cuban officials Tuesday -- his first full day in the country -- that promise Cuba and Louisiana will trade more if the U.S. government lifts economic restrictions. But those agreements are largely ceremonial and won't have tangible benefits in the short-term unless the federal government changes some of its policies.

The governor also said LSU and Cuban university officials had productive talks during the trip.

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain, who went to Cuba with the governor, said he is looking for ways to boost rice sales to Cuba under the current restrictions, though no specifics were offered.

Read more: http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/10/edwards_cuba_return.html