The 38th edition of the Havana International Fair (FIHAV)scheduled between November 14 and 18 at the Expocuba exhibition center, will be attended by some 400 foreign companies from 60 nations, according to official sources.
Antonio Carricarte, president of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, said that the figure is not conclusive, since in the next few days other companies could formalize their registration in the largest event of its kind in the region, as reported the Cuban News Agency (ACN).
The official also confirmed that some 170 state and non-state Cuban entities, among the latter the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and non-agricultural cooperatives with an export character, will be represented in the commercial exchange.
@a_carricarte president of the @Camara_Commerce exchanged this Monday with the national media about the participation of #Cuba in the XXXVIII Edition of the Havana International Fair (@FIHAV 2022), which will take place from November 14 to 18 next. pic.twitter.com/ruROSgqo6X
— Cuban Chamber of Commerce (@Camara_Comercio) October 24, 2022
The fair will be the appropriate space to make visible the National Development Plan towards 2030 and to “seek supplies in order to overcome the global logistics crisis”, according to the views of the head of the Chamber of Commerce.
Carricarte also pointed out that the fair will also bet on the development of wholesale and retail trade through foreign investment, and highlighted the recent government measure that makes it easier for foreign companies to participate in these activities.
He also referred to the parallel holding of the V Forum of Foreign investment to present the Portfolio of Business Opportunities, as well as a panel on opportunities aimed at Cubans residing abroad who wish to invest in the island to develop “strategic spheres” for the island’s economy.
In turn, the conclave will serve for the presentation of Cuba as the venue for the Expo Aladi (Latin American Integration Association) Multisectoral Business Roundtable.
Havana Fair will return with a business forum for Cubans residing abroad
It also transpired that the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM) It will have its own stand at Expocuba, where the main projects of that economic enclave located west of Havana will be located, the manager commented.
Regarding the actions that the Cuban Chamber of Commerce will carry out during the event, Carricarte highlighted the activation of bilateral committees with several participating nations, in order to promote the interests of the Caribbean country, and mentioned that around 30 chamber delegations will attend this edition of FIHAV .
The exhibition and business meeting in the Cuban capital has been held annually since 1983, but in the last two years only business forums and virtual fairs could be held, due to the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The last edition of 2019 was attended by more than 4,000 participants from some 55 countries, of which Spain was the most represented with 110 companies, according to official data handled by the agency EFE.
280 foreign companies from some 40 countries, including Spain, Canada or China, currently operate on the Caribbean island, says the Spanish media.
Attracting foreign investment is one of the current priorities of the Cuban government, in the midst of the severe economic crisis that the country is going through, exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic, the sanctions of the United States, and internal difficulties and inefficiencies.
EFE / OnCuba
