Havana, October 6 (RHC)-- Over 30 companies from 26 countries are displaying their products at a Havana international fair, which is part of the 13th International Congress on Sugar and Derivatives.

After officially opening the fair at Havana's Hotel Nacional, the president of the International Sugar Organization Jose Alberto Orive referred to the importance of product diversification as the only way to achieve sustainability in the economic sector. He said that sugar prices have recently grown, but a reanimation of those prices will take place during the second half of 2016.

The event, which runs through Friday with the participation of 400 experts, includes companies from China, Spain, Mexico, Germany, Venezuela, the U.S., Cuba and other nations.

The Congress will open on Wednesday following the remarks by the Director of the Cuban Institute for Research on Sugar Cane Derivatives, Luis Galves, and will include over 100 presentations and round tables on the sugar production process and the development of derivatives such as energy, alcohol and animal feed.