• Submitted by: lena campos
• Business and Economy
• 11 / 09 / 2012

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THE third day of the Havana Trade Fair gave significant emphasis to the promotion of Cuban services – a strength in national exports – and the celebration of the National Days of Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, Chile, Canada, Italy and the European Union.

A large portion of the EXPOCUBA venue is dedicated to promoting opportunities for contracting Cuban medical, educational and environmental services, as well as informatics and communications, all of proven quality.

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela’s pavilion was opened November 6. Given that Venezuela is Cuba’s number one trading partner, it was one of the most important events of the day, attended by Council of Ministers Vice President Ricardo Cabrisas, who emphasized the importance of promoting already strengthened bilateral relations. In this context, Foreign Trade and Investment Minister Rodrigo Malmierca noted the recent signing of the Economic Complementarity Agreement to facilitate the entry of products into both countries without tariffs.

Venezuelan Deputy Trade Minister Leif Escalona stated that her country’s growing interest in Cuba is demonstrated by the participation of 60-plus companies in FIHAV 2012, double that of last year. Ambassador Edgardo Ramírez also announced an important production and trade meeting in the first quarter of 2013, which will promote links between the two nations even further, he stated.

Chile and the EU also open pavilions

On European Union Day at the Fair, the head of the EU delegation, Herman Portocarero commented that the participation of 10 member states and more than 300 companies confirms the bloc’s interest in the Cuban market.

Cuban Deputy Foreign Trade and Investment Minister Ileana Nuñez stated that these ties remain stable and conditions are being created to strengthen and promote them.

Following a decrease in Cuban and Chilean commercial relations, cooperation between the two nations has taken a new course. The Chilean ambassador, Rolando Drago, noted that an environment favorable to bilateral trade is being promoted. Six companies, representing 53% of Chilean exports to Cuba, are present at FIHAV.

Cuba attaching considerable importance to export of services

The Informatics and Communications Management Enterprise (GESEI), part of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment, is presenting the export of services as a positive way of bringing in capital.

Nelson Joaquín Suárez Fabre, telematics director of GESEI, told Granma that the enterprise is proposing a range of services for early 2013, particularly consultation, skills training, installation and technical assistance within information technology, software, hardware and digital systems.

Labiofam is another institution involved in the export of services, with 300 collaborators in 36 African and American nations.

The Ministry of Education is following this line of work, presenting its portfolio of professionals, technology and services developed in Cuba’s educational institutes.

Source: Granma Internacional