Tokyo, March 9 (KYODO-RHC)-- Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Ricardo Cabrisas, Vice President of Cuba's Council of Ministers, agreed Monday to boost bilateral trade and investment, the Kyodo news agency reported today.

“I would like to continue to strengthen our relations in wide-ranging areas and hold a frank dialogue,” Kishida was quoted by the Foreign Ministry as saying to the visiting Cuban official during their meeting in Tokyo.

Cabrisas, who is in charge of Cuba's foreign economic policy, told Kishida he hopes to see stronger bilateral economic ties through interaction with Japanese firms.

Arrangements are being made for Cabrisas to hold talks with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during the week-long visit through next Saturday, ministry officials said.

Cabrisas is also slated to participate at a seminar on investment promotion in Cuba, which will be attended by nearly 200 executives from important Japanese companies.