• Submitted by: Luis Manuel Mazorra
• Business and Economy
• 03 / 08 / 2012

---

Cuba's government leaders met Tuesday with representatives of the Movement of French Enterprises (MEDEF), seeking to increase the business presence in the European country on the island.

Pierre Pringuet, Medef president and CEO of "Pernod Ricard" (producer of beverages), reported the desire to strengthen and expand trade relations with the Caribbean nation, and resume development of joint projects.

The official said here today that there are new conditions and opportunities conducive to foreign investment, from implementation of the Guidelines of the Economic and Social Policy of the Party and the Revolution.

In the exchange, which will run until Friday, the French delegation expressed interest in learning about the perspectives and new investment opportunities in areas such as energy, oil, sugar, communications, tourism and construction, among others.

On the Cuban side, Odalys Seijo, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce, said the event aims to promote greater involvement of French companies in trade, both exports to Cuba, as in purchasing goods and services that European country .

Seijo said the meeting will contribute to increased economic ties between MEDEF and Cuban entities, which date from 1994.

He also urged the 18 French representatives to participate in the XXX International Fair of Havana, to be held in November, to which the House expects the country to expand its delegation Gallo.

In 2011, France ranked fourth among trading partners of the island in Europe, with nine percent of total trade in that region.