Havana, November 5 (RHC)- Russia is confirmed as one of Cuba's main economic and trade partners, Cuban Minister for Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Rodrigo Malmierca said during the official opening of the Russian stand at the 37th Havana’s International Trade Fair (FIHAV 2019).

“The broad Russian presence at this year’s event attests to the importance both countries grant to bilateral ties, and the existing potential to further strengthen and expand trade ties,” Malmierca said.

The Cuban minister noted that Russia plays an important role in different spheres of Cuban economic life and stressed that it is necessary to expand the presence of Cuban goods and services in the Russian market.

Malmierca wished the Russian exhibitors great success at FIHAV 2019 and urged them to materialize joint projects with their Cuban peers. He further pledged Cuba's determination to fulfill all of its commitments to Russia, despite economic difficulties derived from Washington’s stepped up blockade against its neighboring Caribbean state.

Russian officials thanked their Cuban counterparts for the opportunity to participate in FIHAV, the largest event of its kind in Cuba and one of the most important in all of Latin America and the Caribbean.

FIHAV 2019 takes place shortly after the official visit of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel to Moscow, where he held talks with his counterpart Vladimir Putin, the country’s Prime Minister Dimitri Medvedev and with other authorities, as well as with Russian entrepreneurs from such sectors as the banking, transportation, oil, export, automotive and tourism.