Cuba thanks India for its support in confronting the US blockade

Havana, Aug 3 (RHC) Cuban Vice Minister Déborah Rivas thanked India for its support in confronting the US blockade, and highlighted her interest in strengthening ties with Latin America and the Caribbean.

In the plenary session Climbing new frontiers in relations between India and LAC through improved trade facilitation of the IX Conclave between the two regions, the Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment considered these ties, based on respect, mutual benefit and mutual solidarity, referents between which must exist between an economic power and developing nations.

Rivas explained that Cuba has been facing the economic, commercial and financial war of the United States for more than 60 years, which the administration of Donald Trump (2017-2021) intensified with 243 measures and reinforced with the unfair inclusion of the island in states supposedly sponsoring terrorism.

She denounced that said illegal policy, which is maintained by the Government of Joe Biden, adds difficulties for Cuba to insert itself into international trade and finance and has a marked dissuasive interest in investment and business possibilities.

The Cuban vice minister of Foreign Trade and Investment pointed out that such factors constitute the main obstacle to the progress of the resuscitation strategy of the Cuban economy in the short, medium and long term.

However, she said, Cuba is constantly working to reposition its ties with the nations of the world.

As a sign of the island's commitment to the international trade facilitation agreement, the Caribbean nation has implemented it in most disciplines and is advancing in the establishment of the Single Window for Foreign Trade, according to the official.

Rivas also advocated prosecuting a truly fair, equitable and non-discriminatory trade, which allows reducing asymmetries and promoting progress in the face of current challenges such as geopolitical tensions, the increase in food and energy prices, the volatility of markets, inflation, unsustainable debt burden and climate change.

She described as essential the ties of the peoples for a firm, proper and articulated integration in the coordination of their development strategies, the objectives of sustainable development and the defense of sovereignty.

She stressed the need to materialize alternatives and strategic alliances in the commercial field, identify existing tariff barriers and establish permanent exchange between the trade facilitation committees of our countries.

The Cuban vice minister also highlighted the conclave as the ideal setting for achieving fluid and comprehensive trade between the two regions. (Source: PL)