The ceremony was led by Ana Teresa Igarza, director general of the ZEDM Office, and Lilianne Ploumen, minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, in addition to Pedro Fraga and Fabio Prado, presidents of Intersuchel S.A. and Unilever Mexico & Caribbean, respectively.

The Dutch company Unilever N.V. and the Cuban Intersuchel S.A., form the joint venture authorized to operate in the ZEDM, with total investment of over 35 million dollars.

The start of production is scheduled for the end of 2017, for which a modern plant will be built for the manufacture of cleaning, personal care and household products of the Sedal, Rexona, OMO, Lux and Close-Up brands.

The joint venture will also be responsible for marketing and wholesale distribution of these products in the domestic market, given the growing demand of the population, together with that generated by increased tourism.

Unilever Suchel S.A. will create some 300 new jobs and also advance the introduction of innovative management methods and the use of technological equipment, with high standards of safety and environmental protection.

Speaking to the press, Ploumen noted that the creation of this joint venture will encourage increased trade relations between Cuba and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The Dutch minister is currently on an official visit to the island, heading a delegation of 77 companies, as well as sports and cultural organizations.

The head of Unilever Mexico & Caribbean, Fabio Prado, expressed high expectations for the venture, considering that Unilever brands are recognized throughout Cuba given their former presence in the domestic market.

We hope to positively impact Cuban society and economic growth, he stressed, while reiterating the commitment to consumers and the preservation of the environment.

Founded over 120 years ago, Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of food, household and personal care goods, operating in one hundred countries, with sales in over 190.

Unilever Suchel S.A., the first Dutch-financed venture approved to operate in the ZEDM, is the ninth company to be established there, together with others from Mexico, Spain, Belgium, Brazil and Cuba.

Created in November 2013, the ZEDMis intended to promote sustainable economic development in the nation by attracting foreign investment and technological innovation.

(AIN)

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed their commitment to continue working on strengthening bilateral relations, and increasing economic-commercial, cultural, scientific and educational ties.

Also attending the meeting were Thomas Karl Neisinger, German ambassador in Cuba, and other members of the visiting delegation.

Additionally participating on the Cuban side were Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, as well as other officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the National Assembly of People’s Power.

Sigmar Gabriel held meetings with Cuban Minister of Foreign Relations

Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla; Economy and Planning, Marino Murillo Jorge; and Foreign Trade and Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca, as well.

Scheduled today, January 8, are meetings with the ministers of Energy and Mining, Alfredo López Valdés; and Industry, Salvador Pardo Cruz.

(Granma)

During the inauguration of a business forum in Havana attended by entities from both nations, Gabriel highlighted the updating of Cuba’s economic model which includes a Portfolio of Foreign Investment Opportunities. In this sense, the German official expressed his country’s wiliness to launch a process to promote bilateral relations which will develop over the coming years.

In this regard, the deputy foreign minister signed a memorandum of understanding with Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca, on the opening of a business office in Havana which will help to encourage German business and investment in Cuba.

“We want to improve and put Germany’s political and economic relations with Cuba on a new, solid base.” The German delegation’s visit reflects our interest and the opportunities we perceive in relations between the two countries, he added.

Around 60 German businesses attending the event are affiliated with the biotechnology, agriculture and industry sectors. Also present were global firms such as Volks wagen, Bosch and Siemens, as well as a large representation of small and medium-sized businesses.

During the forum which took place in Cuba’s Hotel Nacional, Rodrigo Malmierca emphasized, “There are many sectors of the economy in which we can collaborate with German companies, whether through trade and investments, or mutually beneficial ventures.”

(Granma)

Gabriel was received by Rogelio Sierra, Cuba’s deputy minister of Foreign Relations. On his first visit to Cuba, the Vice Chancellor was accompanied by various German businesspeople.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Relations official website (Cubaminr ex) – in addition to other scheduled activities – the German representative will hold official conversations with Bruno Rodríguez Pa rri lla, Cuban minister of Foreign Relations.

The Vice Chancellor’s visit comes at a time when relations between Havana and Berlin are developing positively.

In July 2015, German Minister of Foreign Affairs, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, made a visit to the island. A mechanism for political exchanges between both ministries was established at that time, while cooperation ties were strenthened with the signing of a Joint Statement on Cooperation.

Likewise, the two countries have ample potential to develop relations in sectors such as the economy, developmental collaboration, science, education, culture and sports, among others.
Cuba and Germany established diplomatic relations on July 22, 1953, which were later broken on January 15, 1963 as a reaction by the Federal Republic of Germany to Cuba’s recognition of the Democratic Republic of Germany. Relations were finally restored on January 18, 1975.

(Granma)