Belarus and Cuba for greater scientific, educational and business ties.  Photo / Cubadebate.

By Roberto Morejón

On the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Cuba and Belarus are revitalizing their contacts, promoting joint projects and executing signed agreements.

 After the forced temporary cessation of rapprochement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials and scientists have multiplied their meetings to pave the way for new directions.

 Cuba and Belarus signed a memorandum of understanding between science institutions.

 Thanks to an agreement between the BIOCUBAFARMA Group, Cuba's Biotechnological and Pharmaceutical Industries Group, and Belarusian institutions, it will be possible to exchange investments, services, production and research in areas and products of interest to the pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries.

 These are important sectors for both nations and of great potential, as shown by the Chinese-Belarusian Industrial Park Gran Piedra, in Belarus.

 According to forecasts, it will be feasible to incorporate new products and technological platforms in the field of biotechnology in both countries.

 In the heat of the recent studies, the use of the Cuban anti-COVID-19 Soberana Plus vaccine was approved in Belarus, the first state in Europe to register this biological product, which has had a positive impact on the largest of the Antilles.

 During the current year, representatives of the two countries analyzed possible investments by Belarusian companies in the Mariel Special Development Zone, west of Havana, and in other geographic areas.

 The constitution of joint ventures in Mariel and in the Old Continent nation is a reality, including the entry into Cuba of entities producing electric vehicles, trucks and tractors.  

 In this regard, the tenth session of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic and Commercial Collaboration held in Havana in June was decisive.   There, agreements were signed in the banking-financial, commercial, agri-food and investment areas.

 In the light of what was stipulated, a leap in the realization of joint projects was noted, as recommended by the political dialogue at the highest level.

 Cuba, a victim of the tightening of the U.S. blockade, and Belarus, a target of Western sanctions, can find ways to encourage development and welfare programs for their peoples.