The United States Patent and Trademark Office recognised Cuba as the legitimate owner of a trademark that was in a legal dispute with the Bacardi firm.

The legal battle for the Havana Club rum entered with the current year in what seems to be its end after an almost two-decade-long litigation. In mid-January the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted Cuba the registration and rights of the famous trademark which was in dispute with the Bacardi family. But the Cuban side as well as the rival rum maker, established in Puerto Rico, have given signs that they won’t stay with their arms crossed.

The Cuban tourism minister promised loyalty to the traditional partners of the leisure industry after announcing that his country is open to investments by U.S. companies.

During his tour of Spain, Cuban Tourism Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz announced in mid-January that his sector is open to U.S. investments, but reiterated loyalty to its European partners. His statements came at a time when trips by U.S. citizens to Cuban cities and beaches have shot up, a strong rapprochement by U.S. airlines, hotel chains, cruise companies and other companies to Havana is observed, and the interest of the European competition to expand business with the Caribbean nation is simultaneously increasing.

Intense precipitations are mitigating in Cuba the effects of the strong drought in 2015, but they are due to a climate alteration that has damaged the tuber and vegetable crops.

After a year of severe drought it seems difficult that the rains are being cursed, but the intense precipitations with which 2016 began in Cuba have gotten here at an extremely untimely moment for agriculture. Recent press reports confirm damages in important crops for the Cuban families’ table as well as for the sugar agribusiness.

Netherlands Foreign Trade and Cooperation Minister Lilianne Ploumen headed a business delegation that explored business alternatives in Havana and presented a new joint venture of Unilever and Suchel.

The creation of a joint venture in the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM) and the agreement to expand trade and economic ties brought to a perfect end the three-day visit of a Dutch delegation to Cuba, headed by Netherlands Foreign Trade and Cooperation Minister Lilianne Ploumen.