Abu Dhabi, February 25 (RHC) -– Russia may build a large international airport in Cuba with investors from the United Arab Emirates, Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said in an interview with a newspaper in Abu Dhabi.

Manturov told newspaper The National that Russia is in discussions with Abu Dhabi's Mubadala investment company to invest in building a hub in Cuba for flights to Latin America. Manturov, who was visiting Abu Dhabi to participate in a military exhibition, said Russia is ready to invest $200 million in the project.

He said Cuba planned to convert a former military base into "a big airport hub for Latin America." A spokesperson for Mubadala told The National: "The company is regularly reviewing a number of different investment opportunities with its Russian partners."

Manturov added that if the project goes forward, Cuba may provide a rail link from the airport to the nearby seaport of Mariel, where Havana has established a special economic zone to attract foreign investment.