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The Alabama State Port Authority has announced a new memorandum of understanding with the National Port Administration of Cuba, potentially laying the groundwork for future trade deals.

After Gov. Rick Scott threatened to financially cut off Florida ports that do business with Cuba, Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale canceled its plans to sign an agreement with Cuba.

An important step toward once again ramping up trade with Cuba is scheduled to take place Jan. 27 when a delegation from the National Port of Administration of Cuba and Port of Palm Beach officials will meet to sign a memorandum of understanding in the port’s boardroom.

The Cuban government is offering incentives to attract foreign investment in the Port of Mariel, with the goal of establishing the port as a major shipping point for goods moving throughout the Caribbean and to and from the United States.

While President Obama made headlines last week with a historic visit to Cuba, a delegation of U.S. transportation and logistics executives quietly met with Cuban government, academic and business representatives to lay the groundwork for restarting trade with the island nation once the U.S. embargo is lifted.