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)

In 13 other cases, the proposed amount to be invested has been adjusted, following the conducting of feasibility studies, and the updating of industrial policies, emphasizing the need to develop productive chains.

Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz stated that these initiatives are distributed across the country, and 45 of them are in the Mariel Special Development Zone. Tourism is once again the sector with the greatest number of proposals, with 187 projects included in the portfolio.

In his comments during the presentation, the Minister explained that investments continue at the country’s airports and ports, and that special emphasis has been placed on railroad infrastructure.

Since October of last year through this month in 2018, 40 new projects have been authorized, representing total investment of more than 1.5 billion dollars, 35 of which are already moving forward. Additionally seven extensions and re-investments have been approved.

With respect to legal changes, Malmierca added that some complementary norms have been modified to streamline the evaluation process and that work is underway to create a “single window” service for foreign investors, which should be available by mid-2019.

“Although it is less than what we need, foreign investment in Cuba is growing despite the economic, commercial, financial blockade. Our model of sustainable development is being transformed, and to do so, our government defends and includes international economic relations.

“We are committed to supporting all those interested in establishing new businesses. To do so, we have prepared a new portfolio, more diverse in composition in terms of activities and sectors,” Malmierca stated.

(Granma)

The third day of Havana’s International Trade Fair featured the announcement of options for integrated exports of products and services in the healthcare and sustainable food processing sectors.

Given the leadership role of these in the national economy, and the potential for their development, these projects are meant to make Cuba’s best available around the world, according to Lietsa Peña, exports director for the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment.
Cuba’s biotechnology enterprise group, Bio CubaFarma, and the country’s Commercial Medical Services Distributor have formed a strategic alliance to offer seven programs to other countries which can positively impact healthcare and quality of life.

According to BioCubaFarma’s international collaboration and commerce director, Mayda Mauri, these programs are designed to address a variety of health issues, including comprehensive treatment of diabetic patients; diagnosis and rehabilitation of patients suffering from cardiovascular illnesses; prevention, screening and treatment of cancer; detection, analysis and treatment of hearing problems; early detection of neuro-developmental problems in children with prenatal and neonatal studies, as well as epidemiological vigilance.

Another offering, according to Lisette Álvarez of the state company BK Import Export, involves hospital renovation, to optimize auxiliary systems, equipment and medical facilities, including laboratories and surgical theaters.

In the agricultural and food processing sector, Cuba’s Technical Services Distributor is looking to export a variety of services ranging from sales and construction of greenhouses, irrigation systems and modular buildings, in addition to cultivation consultation, always with a view toward sustainable, ecologically friendly agriculture in both urban and rural areas, according to the company’s representative, Irina Can cela

Such efforts which have been successfully undertaken in Cuba, as well as Haiti, Venezuela, Bolivia and Jamaica, she said.

Set to run through next Saturday at the Expocuba fairgrounds, the event opened with the participation of 900 companies from 70 countries. With exhibits occupying 21,700 square meters of space, Fihav 2015 is the largest such event in the last 15 years.

The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Puerto Rico are among the countries attending for the first time, while others which are returning after an absence include Thailand, Japan, Bulgaria and Curacao. Canada, Spain, Venezuela and China are, once again, the countries with the greatest participation.

Malmierca noted that some last minute requests to participate could not be considered because of limited exposition space, which, he said, obliges the organizing committee to be better prepared next year for growing interest in doing business in Cuba.

(Granma)

Fihav 2015 is the largest fair in a decade, with more than 900 companies on hand, 300 being Cuban, and ten new countries participating.

High level delegations from several countries will be attending, and an updated version of Cuba’s portfolio of foreign investment opportunities will be presented.

The Cuban pavilion covers an area of 5,000 square meters, where 121 stands will display products and services available from the nation’s enterprises.

Fihav 2015 is meant to promote Cuban products and investment opportunities, as well as exchanges between other countries, according to organizers.

(Granma)