He added that those nominated “have ample experience in leadership, successively occupying different, higher-ranking positions, and also possess other qualities which demonstrate that they are in a position to serve on the Council of Ministers.”

Manuel Marrero Cruz, 56 years of age, was appointed as Prime Minister. He served as Minister of Tourism, over almost 16 years, chosen for this responsibility by Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro Ruz.

He is an architect by profession and began his career as project manager in the construction of tourist facilities in Holguín’s northern resort area, holding different management positions at hotels in eastern provinces and in Varadero.

In 1999, he was promoted to the position of first vice president of the Gaviota Tourism Enterprise Group, becoming its chief executive a year later.

Marrero’s career in this field and as a cadre has been characterized by his modesty, honesty, hard work, political sensibility, and loyalty to the Party and the Revolution.

He led the tourism sector in an outstanding fashion, one of the national economy’s key lines of development, which has required constant interaction with other Central State Administration bodies, the enterprise system, and provincial governments. He has likewise accumulated important experience in negotiations with foreign partners and participation in international events, demonstrating his ability, firm principles, and talent for dialogue.

The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere, during which the two dignitaries discussed the good state of bilateral relations and expressed their mutual willingness to continue working to expand said ties on the basis of existing opportunities, primarily in the spheres of economy and trade; as well as issues related to the current international situation.

The distinguished visitor was accompanied by Kotaro Nogami, deputy chief cabinet secretary; Eiichi Hasegawa, special advisor to the Prime Minister; Japanese Ambassador to Cuba, Masaru Watanabe; as well as other official delegation members.

Participating on the Cuban side were compañeros Miguel Díaz Canel Bermúdez, first prime minister of the Councils of State and Ministers; Salvador Valdés Mesa, a Council of State vice president: Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, a Council of Ministers vice president and minister or Economy and Planning; Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, minister of Foreign Trade and Investment; Marcelino Medina González, interim minister of Foreign Relations; Carlos Miguel Pereira Hernández, Cuban ambassador to Japan; as well as other Foreign Ministry representatives.

(Granma)