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By María Josefina Arce

The Second Cuba 2021 Business Forum, which took place this past week both virtually and in person, was attended by a large number of foreign participants and showed the interest of business people from all over the world in the potentialities and opportunities offered by the Caribbean nation, backed by a safe and responsible legal framework.

Government representatives, some 20 Chambers of Commerce, more than 1,200 businessmen and 215 non-governmental management forms were present at this meeting, aimed at making business deals and investments that contribute to development, in a difficult world economic scenario, marked by the COVID 19 and, in the case of Cuba, aggravated by the U.S. blockade.

The four-day meeting was an opportunity for the representatives of foreign firms to learn about the transformations taking place in our country and which, as explained by the Cuban Minister of Economy and Planning, Alejandro Gil, imply greater dynamics and the participation of different economic actors.

In this context, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, which already number more than 900 throughout the national territory and are estimated to generate 14,162,000 new jobs, are included.

These new enterprises, which have autonomy, are aimed at developing the production of goods and services to meet the needs of society.

The participants described the Forum as profitable and useful, which made it possible to learn about the main export options in the different branches and in which Cuban entrepreneurs of private businesses also talked about their experiences, results and prospects.

Great interest was aroused by the presentation of the new Portfolio of Opportunities for Foreign Investment, which exceeds the previous edition by 175 projects.

According to what was known, companies from more than 40 countries are currently doing business with Cuba and conversations are being held on 40 new projects that amount to four billion dollars.

Likewise, the panel on the options for Cubans living abroad to participate in projects in Cuba and contribute to its socio-economic progress also stood out.

This was one of the main novelties of the event, which will also help strengthen ties between the nation and Cubans living in other latitudes.

The Second Cuba 2021 Business Forum, the most important event of the year for the country in terms of trade and investment, has been an ideal space to learn about the possibilities offered by the Caribbean nation, which has its sights set on its economic progress and on raising the standard of living of its citizens.