HAVANA — Cuban Foreign Trade and Investment Minister, Rodrigo Malmierca inaugurated the 33rd Havana’s International Trade Fair, Fihav 2015, with exhibits occupying 21,700 square meters of space, the largest in the last 15 years
Around 1,000 exhibitors from over 70 countries, including the United States for the first time, are promoting their goods and services at the fair which runs till Nov. 7.
Cuban Foreign Trade and Investment Minister, Rodrigo Malmierca inaugurated the 33rd edition of the Havana International Trade Fair, Fihav 2015, with expectations that it will serve to promote exports of Cuban products and services, as well as foreign investment in the country. Ricardo Cabrisas, a Council of Ministers vice president, was also on hand for the inauguration.
Set to run through Saturday at the Expocuba fairgrounds, the event opened with the participation of 900 companies from 70 countries. With exhibits occupying 21,700 square meters of space, Fihav 2015 is the largest such event in the last 15 years.The United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Puerto Rico are among the countries attending for the first time, while others which are returning after an absence include Thailand, Japan, Bulgaria and Curacao. Canada, Spain, Venezuela and China are, once again, the countries with the greatest participation.
Malmierca noted that some last minute requests to participate could not be considered because of limited exposition space, which, he said, obliges the organizing committee to be better prepared next year for growing interest in doing business in Cuba.
The Minister, Rodrigo Malmierca, announced 36 new project offers on the island investment portfolio, which in all includes 320 projects for a total amount of 8 billion dollars.
During a presentation at Havana´s International Trade Fair, the minister said that out of the new 36 projects, 30 will be implemented in all Cuban provinces and the remaining 6 will take place at the Mariel Special Development Zone.
The new version of the Cuban Investment Portfolio includes 12 economic sectors, such as tourism, oil drilling, energy and food production.
“These projects,” said Malmierca, “will contribute to Cuba’s accelerated economic growth and create great confidence among investors.”
The new projects are in the areas of health services, sports-related health and other sectors like wholesale markets and audiovisuals.
Alongside the portfolio, Cuba presented its commercial directory, which compiles information about the characteristics of companies and relevant regulations, divided by sector of activity.