Diaz-Canel and Guskov tour facilities at the Expocuba fairgrounds. Photo: Omara García Mederos
Havana, Nov 14 (RHC) Representatives of the governments of Cuba and the Russian Federation stressed Monday the interest and willingness to strengthen bilateral, economic, and trade ties and announced the conclusion of important investments in the Cuban steel industry.
In the presence of Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of the Republic, and Manuel Marrero Cruz, Prime Minister, the pavilion of the Eurasian country was inaugurated at the XXXVIII Havana International Fair, which reaffirmed the willingness of Russian businessmen to expand relations with the Island.
The Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca, highlighted the cooperation ties that date back to the Soviet Union period, and affirmed that "we are in a new moment in which we have to intensify relations and attract Russian capital to boost the country's development".
A delegation headed by Ricardo Cabrisas, Cuban Deputy Prime Minister, is currently in Moscow to participate in the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Commercial and Scientific-Technological Collaboration.
"We work together in essential sectors such as energy, industry, and food production," he said and assured that Russia can be an important supplier of products such as wheat.
The Cuban minister called for strengthening and expanding relations with Russian companies present at FIHAV 2022.
At the simple ceremony, Andrei A. Guzkov, Russian ambassador to Cuba, expressed his government's desire to consolidate collaboration with the island and said that cooperation covers the energy, steel, agriculture, health, biopharmaceutical, and information technology sectors.
He announced that his companies will continue to carry out joint projects and that preparations are being finalized to conclude and inaugurate the modernization of the Antillana de Acero steel company in December.
The diplomat highlighted as other significant facts the increase of direct flights between both nations, the tourist flow and the modernization of the 'Ramón Peña' mechanical plant in Havana, and the improvement of the oil infrastructure in Boca de Jaruco, in conjunction with Cubacupet for greater extraction of Cuban crude oil.
Guskov expressed his wish for Cuba to be present at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in mid-2023, congratulated the island for the organization of the Havana Fair, and reiterated that Russia advocates the end of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade of the U.S. government on the Cuban archipelago.
Also, at the inauguration of the Pavilion of the Russian Federation, Boris Y. Titov, delegate of the President of that nation for the defense of the rights of businessmen, stated that "today we are opening a new page in bilateral relations, and even amid a process of changes".
"If before our collaboration was between large companies, now we are giving a greater role to medium and small companies", he said and informed me that the first contacts with Cuban colleagues have already begun since their participation makes development possible.
He stated that "We are talking about furniture supplies, restaurant openings, and food and wine production points; we have several days ahead for new contacts".
After concluding the event, Díaz-Canel and Marrero toured the pavilion where the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the sister nation promotes and exhibits a group of goods and services. (Source: ACN)
