The announcement was made by Barbadian Industry minister Donville Innis in Bridgetown as he commented on an upcoming visit to Cuba in early May by Barbadian officials and private sector representatives interested in exploring business opportunities here, according to PL news agency.

The Barbadian visitors will also explore ways to deepen bilateral economic relations with Cuba as they are also interested in the International Tourism Fair to take place May 3 to 7 in Havana.

Cuban Domestic Trade officials recently said that the growing demand of beer by the increasing number of tourists visiting the island and the emerging private sector, particularly in the catering sector, have surpassed the local beer production capacity.

In recent statements to ACN Maylet Gonzalez, sales specialist with the Bucanero Beer Joint Venture, which produces Cubanbeers, said that the 2016 production plan is about 19 million boxes, while another three millions will
be imported.

Bucanero, under the Cuban Food Industry, has also faced difficulties due to delayed imports of raw material, which have affected the supply of beers to the local market, said the specialist.

The scarcity of the locally famous Bucanero and Cristal brands is being relieved with imported Dominican, Brazilian and European beer. The setting up of a new brewery is among the plans to counter the current scarcity of the product; in the meanwhile, imported beer will continue to appear on the Cuban market shelves.

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