19th International Seminar on Canadian Studies.
Havana, Nov 10 (RHC) Canada's ambassador to Cuba, Geoff Gartshore, described the relationship between the two countries as special and historic during the 19th International Seminar on Canadian Studies, which ends today at the University of Havana.
Trade exchanges have been uninterrupted for more than 100 years and the Caribbean Island is Canada's largest export market in Central America and the Caribbean, said Gartshore in an interview granted to Prensa Latina.
"In this academic meeting we were able to appreciate a sample of this constant bilateral collaboration, which includes sectors such as mining, health, food, energy, tourism, agriculture, trade, culture, and many other areas," he said.
Canada is also the second source of foreign direct investment in Cuba and the main emitter of tourists to the island, so there is much willingness on both sides to continue exploring new horizons, he added.
He explained that they have short and long-term projects to implement in the Caribbean nation, such as those related to recent donations of medical supplies to the provinces of Matanzas and Pinar del Río after the fire at the Super tanker base and the passage of Hurricane Ian, respectively.
Meanwhile, the long-term ones are linked to the environment, education, gender equity, and empowerment of women and children, among others.
"For example, we have a project in Holguín with the participation of the Canadian company Sherritt International Corporation, to train women in the assembly and maintenance of solar panels; and another in Artemisa to collaborate with farmers in food production and the use of solar energy," he said.
As for tourism, he mentioned that a high season of Canadian visitors is approaching, eager for sun and beach, after years of pandemic confinement.
The ambassador referred to the Canadian government's support to his country's companies to maintain trade relations, which is why Canada always votes against the U.S. blockade of Cuba.
"We are against the idea that a state can impose extraterritorial regulations on another nation because the consequences also reach third countries like ours, whose relationship with Cuba encompasses a special dimension", he concluded.
The 19th International Seminar on Canadian Studies is an annual event that brings together specialists and researchers from different Cuban institutions to share research results and plan collaboration actions.
On this occasion, the central theme of the event was strategic relations for bilateral development, although it also included historical, economic, and diplomatic conferences.
Likewise, issues related to the Canadian tourist market in Cuba, the promotion of cooperation, cultural relations, and social vulnerabilities in adolescents and people with disabilities were also discussed. (Source: PL)
