Malmierca reported that, November 3-8, more than 50 countries will be represented at this edition of the Havana International Fair (Fihav-2019) and for the first time, companies from all the provinces of the country will have exhibits in the Cuban Pavilion – a reflection of the nation’s efforts to promote exports.

As is customary, an Investment Forum will be held and the new Foreign Investment Opportunities Portfolio presented. Additionally, three events organized by Germany, Mexico, and the European Union will take place, “demonstrating the interest of the international market in investing in Cuba, despite the activation of Title III of the Helms Burton Act,” Malmierca noted.

During the Fair, the “single window” plan for international commerce will be introduced, an initiative to computerize and simplify procedures related to the country’s import-export process. Likewise, the 2019-2020 Business Directory will be presented, and other events to be held in the coming months announced.“We are expecting visits by 14 official delegations headed by Ministers and other high-ranking authorities; and we will hold 15 national days to highlight specific delegations joining us.”The efforts of the United States government to isolate us and create problems for our economy will fail, and the Fair will once again demonstrate the confidence of international business in the Cuban market,” the Minister insisted.Orlando Hernández Guillén, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Cuba, reported that some 152 national exhibitors will participate on the Cuban side, representing more than 360 companies on the island. This time, he added, the Mariel Special Development Zone will move to its own pavilion, since more than 30 companies based in this area are participating.“We will have all provinces and all sectors of the economy present. For the first time, two non-agricultural cooperatives will promote their products through the export channels provided by the country’s state enterprises dedicated to carrying out this process,” Hernández added.More than 40 business delegations and promotional organizations from around the world will flood the ExpoCuba fairgrounds during Fihav 2019. Some seven special interest forums are being organized, as well as meetings of the Enterprise Committee.For his part, Abraham Maciques, general director of the Palco Group and member of the organizing committee, explained that 23 of the fairground’s 25 pavilions will be used. To date 15 official pavilions are planned, and the accreditation of more than 2,000 international business reps, including several from the United States.Comparing the event with previous years, he stated, “With respect to 2018, we will have the same level of participation and expect this to be a good fair, during which cooperative commercial agreements are established.”This year’s Fair will be dedicated to the 500th anniversary of Havana, and all international visitors will have the oppportunity to get to know the city through a well-planned cultural and business program, said Luis Carlos Góngora Domínguez, vice president of the directorate.“Celebrations for Havana’s anniversary will take place Tuesday, November 5. That day, the city’s Busness Forum will be held, a space to find business opportunities and present the industrial potential of Havana.”There will also be presentations of audiovisuals, books, and a whole series of collateral activities, intended to invite Fihav 2019 attendees to celebrate the city’s 500 years in the month of November,” he concluded.

(Granma)

Legislators learned that the portfolio of business opportunities promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment includes more than 500 projects in different sectors, among which tourism stands out.
The introduction of foreign capital in our economy is today an essential part of our development strategy, which is why this is one of the main lines of attack pursued by the United States government, he said. But despite the pressures on international investors and companies in our country, all have maintained a firm position in rejecting the extraterritorial nature of U.S. laws, mainly the Helms-Burton.
“No one has pulled out; some have submitted new projects and have said that they are willing to close businesses elsewhere to stay here, because of the potential to start new projects and security in Cuba,” Diaz-Canel said, explaining that business people know how much we are affected by the tightening of the criminal blockade and financial persecution, but they have confidence in the commitment of the Revolution’s leadership to fulfill obligations.
The President emphasized the need to attract capital, technology, and knowledge to advance economic growth. “We will not invest in just anything, but in key, prioritized sectors, very well defined in Cuban law, always defending our sovereignty and independence.”

Prior to the President, Ministers Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila (Transportation), Betsy Díaz Velázquez (Domestic Commerce), Manuel Marrero Cruz (Tourism) and Deputy Minister of Communications Ernesto Rodríguez reported on joint ventures in their sectors, currently providing mutual benefit, while difficulties were also recognized, such as delays in responding to international investors, in processing and documentation, and insufficient experience in contracting the purchase raw materials.

Nonetheless, investors continue to show interest in Cuba, given citizen security here; our highly qualified workforce; and the population’s human values ​​, including commitment and dedication to professional activity.

(Granma)

The project, with a precedent at the Mariel Special Development Zone, “will eliminate bureaucracy and delays that exist when granting the required permits, licenses, and authorizations, to facilitate foreign investment in Cuba,” stated Deborah Rivas, deputy minister of Foreign Trade and Investment (Mincex).

Among the services that this one-stop office will provide are consultancy, information, and advice to facilitate businesses set up, and the processing of registrations and licenses, as well as following company operations, she added.

New legal regulations are being drafted toward this end, which, in addition to containing the rules governing this entity, will include deadlines and unique procedures to be carried out, as well as necessary information to accompany investors at every stage.

This new legislation will be accompanied by a computer system that will connect the country and the world, and allow interested parties to follow procedural processing progress.

The one-stop services offices with be linked to this virtual space. The entity will have a director general subordinate to Mincex general management; and will also employ specialists in foreign investment, promotion, procedures, and document management technicians.

This working group will also be permanently accompanied by officials of the Institute of Physical Planning, the ministries of Construction; Science, Technology and Environment; the Interior; and Justice; as well as the national offices of Tax Administration and Statistics.

One of the most important results was reaching a consensus between this portfolio and that of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of Cuba to complete the negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement as soon as possible, said Tuan Anh, who was part of the delegation that was in the island.

The two sides will review the legal framework to sign the agreement as soon as possible in order to promote trade, joint productions, investments and access to the respective markets, he stressed.

Noting that Vietnam has become the second largest partner of Havana in Asia after China, with billings in both directions of over 220 million dollars, the minister pointed out that his country has an important role in the development strategy of the Caribbean nation.

During the visit of Nguyen Phu Trong, Cuba granted investment licenses to several Vietnamese companies in tourism, construction of power plants and agriculture, he explained.

In addition, he added, a series of agreements was reached in several areas, from education and training of personnel, justice and technology to the environment.

He also expressed that the Vietnam-Cuba business forum brought together over a hundred companies from both sides that examined other areas with high potential for cooperation, for possible productive, investment and technology transfer projects.

(Cubadebate)

Cuba has called for Latin American and Caribbean vision in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations.

The statement was made by the Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX), Rodrigo Malmierca, who heads the Cuban delegation to the 36th session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), which concluded Friday.

The Cuban representative stressed that the main challenge is to transform the commitments made by the international community into reality. Malmierca announced that Cuban authorities have offered to host the next session of ECLAC, to be held in 2018.

During his stay in Mexico, the Minister met with Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs, Claudia Ruiz Massieu and the Mexican Secretary of Economy, Ildefonso Guajardo.

At these meetings, they discussed the state of relations between both countries and about their mutual interest to continue to boost economic, trade and cooperation.

(Radio Habana Cuba)