Havana, Nov 3 (IANS): The US-Cuba Business Council held a meeting as the 2015 Havana International Trade Fair (Fihav) began in Cuba's capital to forge links between the business sectors of both countries and identify investment opportunities.

The meeting of the council, held on Monday, drew more than 50 businessmen from major US companies such as Morgan Stanley, Home Depot, Caterpillar, Boeing, American Airlines, Heinz Kraft, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal and Sprint, among others, Xinhua reported.

The US delegation was headed by Myron Brilliant, senior vice president of the American Chamber of Commerce, while Cuba's Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca led the Cuban delegation, accompanied by officials and businessmen from the fields of tourism, health, industry, telecommunications, banking, transportation, and energy and mines.

According to Cuba's National Information Agency (AIN), both parties agreed that the US-led trade embargo remains the main obstacle to bilateral trade ties.

"The sizable US delegation demonstrates the willingness of the US business community to do business with Cuba and shows the failure of the economic blockade imposed by Washington," Malmierca said.

He also reaffirmed Cuba's willingness to maintain strong economic ties with its traditional partners, including China, Venezuela, Spain and Russia.

Cuba and the US in July restored diplomatic ties, which were severed by Washington on January 3, 1961.

Total 29 US companies are participating in the 33rd Fihav event which will run till November 7.