Havana, May 23 (RHC)-- The Cuban government approved five investment projects by foreign companies to operate in the Special Economic Zone at Mariel Harbor, joining the container terminal in operations there since 2014.

The implementation of the five projects will take between eight months to one year, so their production of goods will actually begin in the first half of 2016, said Special Zone director Ana Teresa Igarza during a forum on trade and services in Havana.

The projects approved operate in areas such as food and agriculture, industry in general, electronics, transportation services, chemistry and the light industry. The companies whose projects have been approved will attend this year's Havana International Trade Fair, said the executive.

The Special Economic Zone in Mariel operates in national territory under specific rules and its productions, which will include foreign and national investment, will help replace costly imports.