The US has announced eased
restrictions on business and travel with Cuba, the latest move by
President Barack Obama to improve relations with the country.
The
rules, which go into effect on Monday, relate to travel, telecom,
internet-based services, business operations, banking and remittances.
US businesses will now be allowed to open up locations in Cuba.
Cuban President Raul Castro and US President Barack Obama discussed the move in a phone conversation on Friday.
The changes come as the US and Cuba normalise relations after 53 years.
"A
stronger, more open US-Cuba relationship has the potential to create
economic opportunities for both Americans and Cubans alike," said US
Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew in a statement.
"By further easing
these sanctions, the United States is helping to support the Cuban
people in their effort to achieve the political and economic freedom
necessary to build a democratic, prosperous and stable Cuba."
Authorised
travellers will be permitted to open and maintain bank accounts in
Cuba, senior administration officials said on Friday.
Close
relatives will now be allowed to accompany authorised travellers going
to Cuba for educational, journalistic, humanitarian or religious
activities or research.
Officials said travel to Cuba for tourist activity is still prohibited by statute.
Image copyrightAPImage caption
US businesses will be able to open physical
locations in Cuba and Americans will have more opportunity to travel to
the country
Companies will also be able to import Cuban mobile applications to the US and hire Cuban nationals to work on them.
President Obama thinks the best way to strengthen the Cuban people is through contact, officials said.
In
July Cuba and the United States formally re-established relations, and
in January the Obama administration announced initial changes to the
Cuba sanctions programme.
Ahead of Pope Francis' visit to Cuba,
and before Cuban President Raul Castro is set to address the United
Nations, Cuba announced on Friday the appointment of a US ambassador,
the first since 1961.
Veteran diplomat Jose Cabanas will be Cuba's ambassador to the US.
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