U.S. DOLLAR DECREASED IN VALUE AGAINST THE PESO- Republic of Cuba government-operated Cajas de Cambio S.A. (CADECA) sold the Convertible Peso, equal to US$1.00, for 21 Pesos and commenced purchasing the U.S. Dollar for 20 Pesos on 27 January 2000. CADECA had sold the Convertible Peso, equal to US$1.00, for 21 Pesos and purchased the U.S. Dollar for 21 Pesos since 24 December 1999.  The official international exchange rate of one Peso to one U.S. Dollar, in effect for more than thirty years, remained unchanged.  The government of the Republic of Cuba maintains a fixed exchange rate for its international dealings and a more flexible exchange rate for domestic use.  The government of the Republic of Cuba does not fluctuate the value of the Peso for commercial transactions regardless of any fluctuation with the value of the U.S. Dollar or other currencies on the international market.  The Peso and the U.S. Dollar circulate freely in the Republic of Cuba.
 

CADECA Buy	CADECA Sell	From / To
20	21	27 January 2000 to 30 January 2000
21	21	24 December 1999 to 23 January 2000
21	22	2 October 1999 through 23 December 1999
20	22	13 September 1999 to 1 October 1999
20	20	1 September 1999 to 12 September 1999
20	21	13 August 1999 through 31 August 1999
22	22	16 June 1999 to 12 August 1999
22	21	13 April 1999 through 15 June 1999
21	21	15 March 1999 to 12 April 1999
20	21	4 March 1999 to 14 March 1999
21	21	19 February 1999 to 3 March 1999
21	20	13 January 1999 to 18 February 1999
21	22	26 November 1998 to 12 January 1999

U.S. HEALTHCARE EXHIBITION DECLARED “TREMENDOUS SUCCESS” BY MEDICUBA- In an unusual display, the flag of the United States and the flag of the Republic of Cuba were side-by-side outside of the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition from 25 January 2000 to 29 January 2000 at Pabexpo in the city of Havana.  The U.S. Healthcare Exhibition had 97 companies as exhibitors (including members of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council) with a combined participating representation of the exhibitors exceeding 280 individuals.  Approximately 8,000 Republic of Cuba nationals visited the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition. The U.S. Healthcare Exhibition was the single largest grouping of United States-based companies to visit the Republic of Cuba for a commercial exhibition in more than forty years and the single largest grouping of representatives of United States companies to visit the Republic of Cuba at one time under license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C., in more than forty years.  The OFAC licensed PWN Exhibicon International L.L.C. (a member of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council) to hold an exhibition within the Republic of Cuba to promote the sale of United States-produced healthcare products.  (See attached media release from PWN Exhibicon International L.L.C. and Medrad, Inc.).  PWN Exhibicon International L.L.C. reported that planning has already commenced for 1) a U.S. Healthcare Pavilion at the 2001 “Health For All” bi-annual international healthcare products trade show 2) a U.S. Healthcare Exhibition focused upon dental products 3) a U.S. Healthcare Exhibition in 2002 and 4) a U.S. Food and Agri-Business Exhibition.  An Economic Attaché from a large country in the Americas who asked not to be identified, said that as a result of the success of the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition, he is uncertain about the value in bringing a delegation of healthcare company representatives from his country to the Republic of Cuba this year.  Mr. Alfonso Sanchez Diaz, President of Republic of Cuba government-operated MediCuba (responsible for primary imports of healthcare products for the government of the Republic of Cuba) reported that the current value of the Republic of Cuba annual market for products exhibited at the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition was approximately US$25 million, although in the future it could be in the hundreds of millions of U.S. Dollars, as he said that it was in the 1980’s.  With a listing of products that MediCuba will purchase in 2000, Mr. Sanchez visited with exhibitors during each day of the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition.  He said that the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition had been a “tremendous success” with some contracts having been signed and interest in signing many more if prices were competitive and if the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) of the United States Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., licensed the sales.  Among the dignitaries visiting the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition were H.E. Dr. Carlos Dotres, Minister of Public Health of the Republic of Cuba, and The Honorable Vicki Huddleston, Chief of the United States Interests Section in Havana, who also hosted a reception and commercial briefing on 24 January 2000 at her official residence for exhibitors, which was also attended by members of the diplomatic community (including Ambassadors from France, United Kingdom, Germany, South Africa, and Nigeria among other countries) and representatives of non-Republic of Cuba-based financial entities. Representatives from the Ministry of Public Health of the Republic of Cuba, from the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the Republic of Cuba (including H.E. Orlando Hernandez, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Mrs. Maria de la Luz B’Hamel, Director of North America for the Ministry of Foreign Trade), from the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba, and from the United States Interests Section visited the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition each day.  H.E. Ricardo Cabrisas, Minister of Foreign Trade of the Republic of Cuba, was unable to attend the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition due to a previously scheduled visit to the People’s Republic of China.  Minister Cabrisas was, however, personally involved in the planning of the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition, as was H.E. Comandante Jesus Montane, Assistant to H.E. Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz, President of the Republic of Cuba.  Comandante Montane died in 1999.  Representatives from the United States Interests Section assisted some exhibitors with obtaining necessary documents for licensing sales of healthcare products to entities within the Republic of Cuba.  On 28 January 2000, Mr. Hector Perez, President of the Republic of Cuba government-operated Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba, and Mr. Abraham Maciques, President of the Pabexpo Exhibition Center, hosted a reception for exhibitors at the Club Havana Country Club.  Some Comments from exhibitors:
 

Mr. Anthony P. DeLio, President of Decatur, Illinois-based Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) Nutraceutical Division (ADM, with 1999 revenues exceeding US$14 billion, was the exclusive vitamin/food sponsor of the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition), assisted with the distribution of various vitamins and soy-based products at the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition, including 15,000 containers of ADM’S NutriSoy beverage and more than 1,000 pounds of AMD’s soy-based food products.  Mr. DeLio said that the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition provided an opportunity to “establish relationships with the right people and explore what’s possible and could be mutually beneficial under current regulations.”  In order to enter the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition, all visitors first viewed a large welcome sign courtesy of ADM, a member of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council.

At the booth of Cincinnati, Ohio-based The Procter and Gamble Company (1999 revenues exceeded US$38 billion), where long lines formed for samples of Vicks products, Mr. Renzo Casillo, General Manager of the Latin American Commercial/Export Group and Caribbean, said that the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition created the opportunity for The Procter & Gamble Company to come to the Republic of Cuba for the first time, and make the initial contacts required to consider future trips.

“We came here on a fact finding mission, it was a great opportunity,” said Mr. Robert Cheney, Sales Manager for Health Imaging, Eastman Kodak Americas Ltd., for Rochester, New York-based Eastman Kodak Company (1999 revenues exceeded US$14 billion).  “Medicuba was very helpful and I’m planning a trip outside the show in the next few months to follow up on contacts and make some visits to see their facilities.  Oh yes, it is definitely worth coming back.”

Ms. Michael Campbell of Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based Nova Technology Corporation said, “…there has been tremendous interest.   We ran out of cards and literature the second day.”  Ms. Campbell said that MediCuba was interested in the company’s non-evasive skin diagnostic equipment, which sells for US$7,000.00 to US$9,500.00.  “I’m going to apply for the licenses when I get home and send Cuba quotes, I think sales are very possible.”

Large crowds gathered around the exhibit of Dublin, California-based Zeiss Humphrey Systems a subsidiary of Oberkochen, Germany-based Carl Zeiss Stiftung.  Mr. Miguel Angel Campomanes, Sales Director for Zeiss Humphrey Systems, said that he had provided more than 1,000 free eye examinations and more than 300 free glaucoma examinations during the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition.  Mr. Angel said that Zeiss Humphrey Systems, through its headquarters in Germany, currently sold US$1 million annually in products to Medicuba.

“It’s been great, what a surprise, we’ve had 55 serious inquiries about our boilers, laundry equipment and spare parts,” said Mr. Sol Sparer, President of Miami, Florida-based Sandy Hark Boiler Sales (1999 revenues US$11 million).  “I’ve already met with State Department officials here and will go home to do the paperwork and send the Cubans quotes.  The Cubans are very serious, the U.S. officials said they saw no problems; and a British-owned financial services company said that for a small service fee they would immediately pay for the product on behalf of the Cuban client and then the British-owned company would collect from the Cuban client directly.  I can ship through Mexico, so, as far as I’m concerned, we are on our way.”

Mr. Roy Carr, Vice President and General Manager of Chicago, Illinois-based Ferris Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of Polymem wound care products, said that he had distributed more than 20,000 samples, made contacts with healthcare professionals, and held meetings with representatives of MediCuba. He said that introductions have also been made with distributors from the Americas and from Spain who visited the exhibition.  “We will definitely follow up, send letters to our contacts, work on the license.  Yes it’s possible to sell here and worth it.  Eventually we could do US$100,000.00 in business per month.”

CARICOM USING INFORMATION FROM USCTEC- Christ Church, Barbados-based Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery, which represents the Georgetown, Guyana-based Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in negotiations with the government of the Republic of Cuba, has written to Mr. John S. Kavulich II, President of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, that the Internet site of the organization, http://www.cubatrade.org, has “already proven to be very useful.”  CARICOM writes that the organization is “in the process of identifying issues, which should be addressed in a proposed bilateral agreement between CARICOM and Cuba.  We are aware that a number of countries have entered into similar agreements with Cuba.  It would be necessary to peruse as well as compare these agreements so as to identify common areas and make suggestions for an ideal CARICOM/Cuba Investment Agreement.”  The Republic of Cuba is seeking to become a member of CARICOM.  CARICOM, with a combined member-population of 12 million and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of US$30 billion, includes Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas (a member of CARICOM, but not of the Common Market), Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.  Haiti is expected to become a member of CARICOM soon.

MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM MINNESOTA VISITS CUBA- The Honorable David Minge (D-Minnesota) visited the Republic of Cuba on 22 January 2000 to discuss existing commercial opportunities and future commercial opportunities with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the Republic of Cuba.  Representative Minge is a member of the Committee on Agriculture of the United States House of Representatives, and Ranking Minority Member of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Resource Conservation, and Credit of the Committee on Agriculture of the United States House of Representatives.  Representative Minge reported that the government of the Republic of Cuba imports, on an annual basis (although no specific years were provided), the following bulk food commodities:
 

Commodity	Import Value In Millions Of U.S. Dollars Provided by Representative Minge	Import Value In Millions Of U.S. Dollars Provided By Alimport
Powered Milk	US$62 million (1999)	US$90 million (1995)
Beans and Peas	US$50 million (1999)	US$60 million (1995)
Soy Products	US$80 million (1999)	Not Available (NA)
Corn	US$77 million (1999)	Not Available (NA)

The most recent official information regarding bulk food commodity imports by the government of the Republic of Cuba was published in 1996, although Republic of Cuba government-operated Alimport (under the auspice of the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the Republic of Cuba) that is responsible for importing bulk food commodities for distribution to Cuban nationals has provided additional selected information.  According to senor-level representatives within the government of the Republic of Cuba, the quantities of bulk food commodity imports in 1997, in 1998, and in 1999 did not change significantly from the quantities of bulk food commodities imported in 1996.  The government of the Republic of Cuba continues to import quantities of bulk food commodities below the minimal Republic of Cuba government-recognized requirements.  Some bulk food commodity product switching occurred to take advantage of international price fluctuations in 1997, in 1998, and in 1999.  The government of the Republic of Cuba reported that bulk food commodity imports were valued at US$610.89 million in 1995 and at US$689.108 million in 1996.  Vegetable oil and animal fat imports were valued at US$24 million in 1995 and at US$25.57 million in 1996.

CARIBBEAN FINANCE COMPANY (CFC) DENIED REPRESENTATIVE OFFICE LICENSE- In a surprising decision, the Central Bank of the Republic of Cuba has denied a representative office license to Guernsey, Channel Islands-based Caribbean Finance Company (CFC).  Established in 1996, CFC, in which Guernsey, Channel Islands-based Beta Gran Caribe Limited (the first investment fund licensed to operate within the Republic of Cuba) is the largest shareholder (75%), and within which Republic of Cuba government-operated Interholdings, a subsidiary of Republic of Cuba government-operated Seguros Internacionales de Cuba S.A. (ESICUBA), holds 20% of the shares, has operated without restriction from offices within the city of Havana since 1996.  Funding for the CFC has also come from Republic of Cuba government-operated Casa Financiera del Turismo Fintur S.A. (under the auspice of the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Cuba), which provides funding for tourism sector activities within the Republic of Cuba.  In 1994, Beta Funds International Limited, an affiliate of Guernsey, Cannel Islands-based Beta Funds Limited (which established Beta Gran Caribe Limited), established Guernsey, Cannel Islands-based Havana Asset Management Limited (HAM), the first investment management company to focus on direct investment within the Republic of Cuba.  Since 1995, HAM has had a licensed representative office within Havana.  London, United Kingdom-based Beta Funds Limited both created and provides advisory services to CFC, HAM, Beta Gran Caribe, and Beta Funds International. Mr. John Presland, Managing Director of CFC, reported that the denial came as a surprise and without any stated reason.  He said that since 1996, CFC had issued more than 160 short-term loans with a total combined value of approximately US$60 million, of which approximately US$10 million remained outstanding.  He said CFC had been subjected to an unusual increased level of scrutiny by the government of the Republic of Cuba during the last six months, but that audits had uncovered no problems.  One possibility for the decision by the Central Bank of the Republic of Cuba is an attempt to persuade CFC to decrease the level of interest charged on loans, currently between 12% and 22%.  The auditor of CFC is the Cayman Islands, British West Indies office of Ernst & Young.  The banker of CFC is Curacao, Netherlands Antilles-based Netherlands Caribbean Bank N.V.  The administrator of CFC is George Town, Cayman Islands-based Midland Bank Trust Corporation (Cayman) Limited, a subsidiary of London, United Kingdom-based HSBC Holdings plc., whose United States representative is Buffalo, New York-based HSBC USA Inc.

DOUBLE TAXATION AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH ITALY- H.E. Felipe Perez Roque, Minister of Foreign Relations of the Republic of Cuba, and H.E. Lamberto Dini, Minister of Foreign Relations of Italy, signed an agreement eliminating the double taxation of their respective nationals.  The government of the Republic of Cuba has a similar agreement with the government of Spain.

NOVEMBER UNITED STATES EXPORTS TO CUBA- The Foreign Trade Division of the United States Bureau of the Census of the United States Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., reported that the value of United States exports (defined as products exiting the borders of the United States whether sold or donated) to the Republic of Cuba in November 1999 was US$495,258.00.  The reported values are on an F.A.S. (Free Along Side Ship) basis- the cost of freight is excluded:
 

HS Code	Description	District	November 1999 Value  In US$	Year-To-Date  Value in US$
1302310000	Agar-Agar	Miami, FL		3,730.00
3926909810	Laboratory Ware	Miami, FL		8,226.00
49019900050	Technical, Scientific, and Professional Books	Miami, FL		9,429.00
8517902000	Parts For Telephonic Switching Apparatus	Miami, FL		16,000.00
8525209080	Transmission Appts Incorporating Receivers, NESOI	Miami, FL	347,000.00	347,000.00
8703240075	Pass Veh, Spark Ign, NESOI, NEW, 3000 cc & 6 cylinder	Miami, FL		24,000.00
9018908000	Inst & Appliances For Medical, Surgical, Etc, NESOI	Miami, FL	2,543.00	2,543.00
9802200000	Medicinal & Pharmaceutical Products, Donated	Miami, FL		2,394,584.00
9802300000	All Wearing Apparel, Donated For Relief/Charity	Miami, FL	4,553.00	196,792.00
9802400000	Articles Donated For Relief or Charity, NESOI (Not Elsewhere Specified Or Indicated)	Tampa, FL	20,665.00	20,665.00
9802400000	Articles Donated For Relief or Charity, NESOI (Not Elsewhere Specified Or Indicated)	Puerto Rico	40,000.00	110,000.00
9802400000	Articles Donated For Relief or Charity, NESOI (Not Elsewhere Specified Or Indicated)	Miami, FL	80,497.00	1,415,979.00
9809005000	Shipments Under US$20,001.00, Not Identified By Kind	Miami, FL		2,545.00
TOTAL US$			US$495,258.00	US$4,551,493.00

Mr. John S. Kavulich II, President of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, has accepted an invitation from Ronan, Montana-based Travel Learning Conferences, Inc., to speak at the annual Nonprofits in Travel Conference (NPTC) at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., on 9 February 2000.  The NPTC is “the premiere national forum for nonprofit organizations offering life-long learning through educational travel programs.  The mission of these organizations is educational, and they use travel revenue to subsidize their non-travel programs, provide educational outreach, and maintain strong and loyal connections with members/alumni.”  For additional information, please access www.nptc2000.com on the Internet or contact Ms. Sara Swan, Program Coordinator, at telephone: (406) 676-2255 or facsimile: (406) 676-8524 or e-mail: tlc@ronan.net

Mr. John S. Kavulich II, President of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, has accepted an invitation from the New Haven, Connecticut-based Yale University School of Management, to be a guest speaker at the seminar, “Cuba as an Emerging Market” on 18 February 2000.  For additional information, please contact Mr. Gualberto J. Rodriguez at telephone (203) 773-9006 or e-mail: gualberto.rodriguez@yale.net
 

WESTPORT, Conn., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Healthcare Exhibition which begins at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, 25 January 2000, at Pabexpo in the city of Havana, has 97 United States-based companies confirmed as exhibitors, with a combined participating representation of the exhibitors exceeding 280 individuals.  The U.S. Healthcare Exhibition will conclude on Saturday, 29 January 2000.  During the five days of the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition, more than 8,000 Cuban nationals are expected to attend.

The U.S. Healthcare Exhibition is the single largest grouping of United States-based companies to visit Cuba for a commercial exhibition in more than forty years and the single largest number of representatives of United States companies to visit Cuba at one time in more than forty years.

Two Members of the United States Congress, The Honorable Maxine Waters (D-California) and The Honorable Barbara Lee (D-California) are scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition.

The Honorable Vicki Huddleston, Chief of the United States Interests Section in Havana, is hosting a reception and commercial briefing on Monday, 24 January 2000, at her official residence for exhibitors participating in the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition.  Representatives of the United States government will be visiting the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition.

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the United States Department of the Treasury in Washington, D.C., has licensed Westport, Connecticut-based PWN Exhibicon International L.L.C., to arrange and to hold an exhibition within Cuba to promote the sale of United States-produced and United States-distributed healthcare products.  The Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) of the United States Department of Commerce in Washington, D.C., is responsible for licensing the transportation of products to be exhibited at the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition.

Mr. Peter W. Nathan, President of PWN Exhibicon International L.L.C., has more than forty-four years of experience in the exhibition industry, and previously organized the first trade shows for United States companies that were held within the People's Republic of China and within the former U.S.S.R. Mr. Nathan is a founding member and director of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) and Vice Chairman of the New York Area Chapter of the International Association for Exposition Management (IAEM).

"This event is the culmination of more than three years of effort.  The U.S. Healthcare Exhibition will remove myths about what can be sold, will reinforce realities as to current opportunities, and will provide United States companies with a cost-effective means to increase their exports," says Mr. Nathan.  "Many Members of the United States Congress have been helpful toward bringing the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition to fruition.  Special mention need be made of The Honorable Charles Rangel (D-New York) who has been a valued adviser and principal advocate from the beginning; The Honorable Maxine Waters (D-California) whose tenacity and support was critical, especially during the final months; and The Honorable Christopher Shays (R-Connecticut).  And, I want to thank John Kavulich of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council.  He first presented the proposal to the Cuban government, has been instrumental in working with the United States government, and without whose counsel and encouragement the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition would not have become a reality."

PWN Exhibicon International LLC is a member of the New York City, New York-based U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council.  "The government of the United States and the government of Cuba have placed their current collective bilateral commercial relationship in the hands of PWN Exhibicon International. The result will be increased credibility, opportunity, and responsibility for separating myth from reality," says Mr. John S. Kavulich II, President of the organization (http://www.cubatrade.org).

Assisting PWN Exhibicon International L.L.C. in the organization of the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition is Mr. Jerry Kallman, Sr., President of Waldwick, New Jersey-based Kallman Global Consulting.  Exhibitor recruitment, liaison, and logistics have been coordinated by Waldwick, New Jersey-based Kallman Worldwide, whose Chief Executive Officer is Mr. Thomas Kallman.

New York City, New York-based International Exhibition Transport (IET) is providing shipping and drayage coordination.  Mr. Albert Gonzalez, Director-Pan American Division of IET says, "The cooperation and capability of Cuba's Customs Service, freight handlers, and in-hall exhibition operations surpass much of what I have experienced in my career."

The U.S. Healthcare Exhibition is being held in the Republic of Cuba with the authorization of the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba and MediCuba, the primary importer of healthcare products for hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare-related facilities for use by Cuba's 11 million citizens.  The U.S. Healthcare Exhibition will be attended by officials of the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba, representatives of MediCuba, hospital administrators, clinic administrators, hospital staff, clinic staff, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare personnel, from throughout Cuba; and will be open to all Cuban nationals on a non-discriminatory basis on the final day of the event.  There is no admission charge.

Decatur, Illinois-based Archer Daniels Midland Company (1999 revenues exceeded US$14 billion) is the exclusive vitamin/food sponsor of the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition.  Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is the world's largest producer of natural vitamin E and also produces vitamin C, lecithin (a source of choline which plays an important role in the function of the brain's neurotransmitters), Isoflavones (a natural component of soybeans), phytosterols, and many other products.

United States-based healthcare product companies (and United States-based subsidiaries of non-United States-based companies) which manufacture, distribute, and/or market the following classifications of products were eligible to participate as exhibitors:  medical equipment, medical instrument, medical supply, medicine, medicated products, pharmaceutical, medical devices, hospital equipment, laboratory equipment, ambulances, physical therapy equipment, medivac equipment, training programs, training materials, and informational materials (including videos, books, etc.).  NOTE: Healthcare products used in biotechnological research/production were not eligible.

The BXA has included a four-page guidance about the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition on the Internet at http://www.bxa.gov under the section "The News from BXA."

The BXA has authorized participants in the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition to distribute free samples of their products to attendees, defined as officials of the government of Cuba, members of non-governmental organizations (e.g., charitable or religious organizations) and other individuals not affiliated with the government of Cuba, and Cuban nationals.  Exhibitors were required to obtain a license from the BXA for the distribution of:  Informational Materials (newspaper and magazine articles, sales brochures, sales information on diskettes, video tapes, etc., no proprietary information may be distributed such as schematics); Vitamins And Over-The-Counter Nutritionals (over-the-counter nutritional and food supplements); Non-Prescription Medicines; Prescription Medicines; General Medical Supplies (includes such items as bandages, gauze, surgical gloves, etc.); and Medical Instruments (including accessories, related software, or component parts).

The BXA has authorized participants in the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition to store their products after the completion of the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition at a secured warehouse located in the Wajay Zona Franca (Free Trade Zone), adjacent to the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, which is managed by Republic of Cuba government-operated Almacenes Universales S.A.  PWN Exhibicon International L.L.C. secured the storage authorization at a substantial discount (reduced 66%) on storage fees to make cost-effective the transportation of healthcare products by exhibitors to Cuba toward increasing sales opportunities for those healthcare products.  The storage fees are as follows:  Product Handling: US$.19 Per Kilogram (2.2 pounds), Cargo Transportation To And From Free Trade Zone Minimum Charge of US$70.00 Per AWB Or B/L; Customs Services:  As Per Direct Customs Fees, Document And Inspection Services; Documents Fee:  US$25.00 Per Shipment, Invoices And Reports Of Cargo To And From Free Trade Zone; Storage Fee: US$.25 Per Kilogram (2.2 pounds) Per Week.

Exhibitors need not return exhibited products to the United States prior to any consummated sale to authorized entities within Cuba.  In addition, exhibitors may arrange storage for any products that will be donated to authorized entities within Cuba.  The newly constructed 25,000 square foot warehouse is managed by Toronto, Canada-based P.I. Di Luca & Associates, the company that also constructed the building.  The coordination of product storage services for the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition is being provided by the Havana office of Mississauga, Canada-based WLVW Logistics GMBH, exclusive agent for Osnabruck, Germany-based Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, Inc. (1998 revenues exceeding US$2 billion and 15,000 employees worldwide).  Miami, Florida-based Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, Inc., was established in 1988, and has 18 offices throughout the United States.

PWN Exhibicon International L.L.C.: 203-222-8660 (Peter W. Nathan) NOTE: Mr. Nathan may be reached in Havana from 24 January 2000 at Melia Cohiba Hotel, +53-7-33-36-36, or cellular, +53-7-80-11-33, or at the office of the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition, +53-7-21-37-67; U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council, Inc., 212-246-1444 (John Kavulich); International Exhibit Transport (IET), 212-980-7010 (Mr. Albert Gonzalez); OFAC: 202-622-2480 (Ms. Clara David); BXA: 202-482-3283 (Mr. John Bolsteins); Department of State, 202-647-9273 (Mr. Charles Shapiro).
 

INDIANOLA, Pa., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Medrad, Inc., a worldwide leader in vascular injection systems based in Pittsburgh, Pa., will demonstrate its products at the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition in Cuba, the first American trade fair in that country in 40 years.  Last summer, the U.S. government authorized the attendance of American companies at the exhibition, which will be held from Tuesday, January 25, through Saturday, January 29, at Pabexpo, a 50,000-square-foot exhibition center in the city of Havana.  Medrad, Inc. is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of equipment and disposable products that enhance the clarity of medical images of the human body.  Its products are used in angiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) and ultrasound imaging procedures.

For this trade fair, Medrad will exhibit its contrast media injectors and syringes for CT, angiography and MR diagnostic procedures.  These products make it possible for radiologists to obtain accurate information for patient diagnoses.  "We're looking forward to the exhibition as a way to demonstrate our products to the Cuban radiology community," said Thomas Dufalla, Medrad's Manager, Corporate Accounts Strategic Development, Latin America.  "Our research indicates that there is good market potential and a medical demand in Cuba for the high-quality products Medrad offers.  We also believe that such efforts such as the U.S. Healthcare Exhibition will help to improve the overall quality of healthcare available to the Cuban people."

Medrad's products are sold to hospitals and medical imaging centers in more than 85 countries.  Medrad already markets its products in Latin America and has sales offices in Mexico and Brazil, as well as the Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Singapore and Egypt.

The exhibition is being held in Cuba with the authorization of the Ministry of Public Health of the Republic of Cuba, and MediCuba, the primary importer of healthcare products for hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare- related facilities for use by Cuba's 11 million people.  The exhibit will be attended by MediCuba representatives, hospital administrators, clinic administrators, hospital staff, clinic staff, physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals from throughout Cuba. Medrad was among the American healthcare companies that responded to an open invitation to attend the exhibition.  U.S.-based healthcare product companies that manufacture, distribute or market a variety of medical instruments, supplies and equipment were eligible to participate.

Revenues for Medrad's most recent fiscal year were more than $160 million. In addition to pursuing business growth goals, Medrad has an active community outreach program that encourages employees to give back to their communities by volunteering for community service projects.  Medrad's headquarters is located in Indianola, Pa., 15 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.  Medrad is a subsidiary of Schering Berlin Inc., the U.S. management holding company for Schering AG, Germany.  In addition to Medrad, Schering Berlin Inc. has five U.S. subsidiaries:  Berlex Laboratories, Inc. (pharmaceuticals in the areas of Diagnostic Imaging, Female Healthcare, Dermatology, and Therapeutics for life-threatening and chronic, disabling diseases), Diatide, Inc. (diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals), AgrEvo USA Company (crop production and crop protection), Berlichem Inc. (pharmaceutical chemicals), and Schering Berlin Venture Corporation (equity investments in leading-edge technologies). Schering Berlin Inc. is located in Montville, New Jersey.

Schering AG is a research-based pharmaceutical company.  As a global enterprise with innovative products, Schering aims for leading positions in specialized markets worldwide.  Schering is represented by more than 140 subsidiaries and affiliated companies and has a workforce of over 21,800 employees.  Group sales in 1998 were over DM 6.4 billion (3.3 billion Euro), of which 85 percent were achieved outside of Germany.  Schering's activities are focused on three strategic business areas:  diagnostics, gynecology and therapeutics for disabling diseases (e.g. multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular, oncology).  With in-house R&D and an excellent R&D network with external partners, Schering is securing innovation and a promising product pipeline. Using new ideas, Schering aims to make a recognized contribution to medical progress, and strives to improve the quality of life.  For more information, please visit its website at http://www.schering.de.