Engineer Wilver Bringas Fernández, plant director, reported that from 2005 to date the company has exported more than 266,100 tons of charcoal made from marabou, also known as sicklebush, and has contributed some one hundred million dollars to the economy, a total of 6,918,000 last year.

The development of this program has allowed the company to increase its financial capacity which, in turn, has allowed for higher salaries for employees and the financing of other important projects, such as the cultivation of fruit trees, construction of greenhouses and the assembly of modern production lines at the plant.

As the country’s leading charcoal producer for export, the Ciego de Ávila-based enterprise is associated with Cuba’s top production company, Ceballos, which has been developing the product for the last 15 years, along with other entities that produce the popular product on a smaller scale.

This agroindustrial state enterprise unit has also made progress developing production chains, exporting charcoal produced by other units such as the local Arnaldo Ramírez agricultural company, La Cuba agroindustrial unit, Ruta Invasora, Cubasoy, Comcavila, La Cuba agricultural centers and the Valle del Caonao agroindustry in Sancti Spíritus.

Bringas explained, “This product is sold in small bags of different sizes and by category.”

This good work is made evident by letters from foreign executives and entrepreneurs praising the quality of the company’s charcoal in the international market and expressing the interest of many potential buyers who would like to become clients, as one of these messages reads.

Another notes that the charcoal received in 5, 10, 15, 18 and 20 kilogram bags is a product that has made important inroads in the market.

During the last Havana Trade Fair FIHAV-2019, Ceballos charcoal received the Gold Medal for Quality, an award previously granted to company products such as the MD2 pineapple; tomato, mango and guava pastes; and habanero hot peppers.

These points were emphasized by Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers, during a recent meeting to critically analyze the development of foreign investment and trade programs, and identify limitations creating obstacles to better results.

Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, explained that in Cuba exports are concentrated in a few lines of products, a few markets and modalities, so work is focused on diversification as well as expansion. He reported on the current performance of the country’s key exportable lines, among which figure tourism, services, pharmaceuticals, nickel, and tobacco.

The minister detailed actions being undertaken to identify potential exports and promote their production in different parts of the country, to encourage and develop capacity.

Emphasized was the reality that quality remains key to expanding exports, and Cuba’s products must be able to compete on the international market.

Referring to foreign investment, Malmierca reported that progress was noted in 2017, although the level of investment has not yet reached that needed by the country.

During the review meeting, President Díaz-Canel insisted on the need to continue directing efforts toward acquiring investments by foreign companies and not only seeking credit.

In this regard, he noted that foreign investment can be seen as one feasible route to increasing exports, and emphasized that the foreign investment law enacted in 2014 protects the nation’s sovereignty and independence.

Díaz-Canel requested a detailed analysis from all central state administrative bodies involved in foreign trade and investment, to clarify what issues limit more rapid progress. Given the importance of the question, it will also be addressed during the next Council of Ministers meeting, he said.

The President reiterated comments on the issue made by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee, in which he emphasized eliminating unnecessary delays in the negotiation process, and letting go of fears associated with capital from abroad.

(Granma)

A vessel with the lead and zinc concentrates obtained there departs every three days from the port of Santa Lucia, Pinar del Río, to that of Mariel, from where it is sent abroad, reports Granma newspaper.

There are 33 containers in each trip transporting about 700 tons, but with the incorporation of a port crane to be assembled this month, those figures will double, the paper added.

After a colossal investment process, with a cost of $272 million USD, the mining work began last July 1s, and three months later the mine began turning out lead and zinc concentrates.

Engineer Eusebio Hernandez, head of the industry, told Granma that 60,000 tons of minerals were processed in January, 73,000 in February, and in March it is expected to reach 78,000, and from April 83,000 ton output per months must be reached.

(Prensa Latina)