CubaPLUS Magazine

 With the presence of more than 700 exhibitors from 63 countries, the 40th edition of the Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2024) was inaugurated this Monday at the ExpoCuba venue, despite the difficulties that the country faces, said the Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (Mincex), Oscar Pérez-Oliva, at the event.

During the opening, which was attended by Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Pérez-Oliva also pointed out the difficult circumstances in which the event is taking place, in particular due to the unprecedented intensification of the economic, commercial and financial blockade of the United States government, the energy emergency, as well as a meteorological phenomena that affects the island.

However, he highlighted the decision of “our government to re-boost the economy even in the most complex conditions, in which the participation of foreign companies and organizations is decisive, many of which are represented in this edition of Fihav.”

He also stressed that the country’s authorities, together with foreign partners, are engaged in projections to correct distortions and re-boost the economy, actions that should have a positive impact on the stability of macroeconomic indicators and improve conditions, all of which will contribute to renew the operation of businesses, while ratifying the decision to honor the commitments made with all creditors.

On this occasion, according to Pérez-Oliva, the island’s main commercial partners are present at the show, including Venezuela, China, Vietnam, Russia, Mexico and Spain. Official delegations from Angola, Belarus, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Honduras, Iran, Mexico, Mozambique, Namibia, Portugal, Panama, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Sierra Leone and Venezuela are also attending.

There is also a representation of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System, as well as 27 delegations and trade promotion entities.”

During the six days of the exhibition, numerous activities are planned, among which the first is the VII Investment Forum, during which the update of the Portfolio of Opportunities of Cuba will be announced, within which several panels will take place: Mariel Special Development Zone; Business Opportunities with foreign investment for local development; Potentialities of Trinidad and Tobago – Printing and packaging sector and Cuba-Angola business forum, among others.

Also present at the opening of the fair, the most important in Cuba and the Caribbean region, were Deputy Prime Minister of Government, Ricardo Cabrisas, Yudí Rodríguez, member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party, the first secretary of the Party in Havana, Liván Izquierdo, the governor of the capital, Yanet Hernández and other national and foreign officials.

Fihav, which will close its doors next Saturday the 9th, has an exhibition area of 19,400 square meters, a figure greater than the last edition. On the Cuban side, more than 250 companies are attending, representing the non-state sector, and more than 60 Cubans residing abroad who currently have businesses in Cuba.