US-Cuba trade and travel restrictions further relaxed

The United States government announced on Friday that it would be introducing new measures to relax trade and travel restrictions between it and Cuba.

The former antagonists began to normalise their relations in 2014 after decades of suspicion caused by the Cold War.

According to the statement from the US Treasury and Commerce Departments, Cuba will be allowed to import certain goods sold in the US online, and will also welcome US firms in an effort to rebuild infrastructure in the country.

Barack Obama will leave office at the beginning of 2017, and it is the latest effort on the part of his government to improve relations with Cuba.

Other changes announced include allowing US companies to provide safety services for commercial airplanes in Cuba, where this summer commercial US carriers have begun to operate.

Obama has also lifted the restrictions on US travellers returning from Cuba with Cuban rum and cigars.

Along with Cuban president Raul Castro, Obama announced in December 2014 that they would make efforts to increase cooperation between the two states.