FIHAV, a Bridge Between Cuba and the World

Cuba will host the 41st edition of the Havana International Fair (FIHAV) from November 24 to 29, 2025. The event reaffirms its status as the country's primary trade exchange and one of the most important in the region. It serves as a platform for foreign entrepreneurs to explore the business opportunities emerging on the Caribbean island, while also hosting significant intergovernmental meetings and business forums with its key commercial partners. Excelencias magazine discussed these topics with Antonio Carricarte Corona, President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba.

A Legacy of Economic Strengthening

What would you consider the main achievement of the Havana International Fair since its inception in 1984 to date?

FIHAV has primarily contributed to strengthening Cuba's economic and trade relations with the world. In its beginnings, 80 entrepreneurs from three countries—Cuba, Spain, and Panama—participated. Today, companies from over 60 countries across all regions regularly take part.

This is further evidenced by the presence of dozens of official delegations led by ministers or vice-ministers, as well as Chambers of Commerce, business associations, and trade promotion institutions, which in most cases visit us accompanied by entrepreneurs.

FIHAV has become Cuba's main commercial exchange and one of the most important in the region, characterized not only by the exhibition of products and services but also by the holding of significant activities such as intergovernmental meetings and business forums with the most important trading partners.

It has been a space for growth for Cuban entrepreneurs, who have progressively had the opportunity to observe advanced production technologies showcased in different sectors, modern packaging methods, quality requirements, and other updates, contributing to the enhanced competitiveness of Cuban products.

We can affirm that it has become a platform to showcase the potential and opportunities of the Cuban economy for partners and potential investors.

Expectations for the 41st Edition

As FIHAV is Cuba's premier business platform and a national and regional meeting place for promoting commercial and business relations, what are the expectations for this 41st edition given the current conditions of the Cuban economy?

Firstly, for foreign entrepreneurs to witness the business opportunities that are opening up, even amidst the current economic complexities in Cuba and the world, especially in the highest priority sectors within the economic revitalization program, namely: food production, renewable energy, tourism, and linkages with different industry sectors.

It will be important to showcase the business models being promoted, which allow for the establishment of inventories to supply industry, agriculture, and the population, with financial alternatives that ensure their sustainability. It is pertinent to highlight the linkages forming between non-state and state economic actors, which have enabled the utilization of available industrial capacities, thereby increasing—albeit at modest levels—the production of certain high-demand finished goods.

I believe that by presenting businesses that have overcome various obstacles and achieved results, we will succeed in boosting the international business community's confidence in the alternatives for doing business in Cuba.

Innovations for FIHAV 2025

What new features does FIHAV 2025 bring?

In addition to the traditional display of Cuban exportable products, there will be special exhibition areas dedicated to the comprehensive presentation of high-priority themes in Cuban development: tourism, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and integration into the mechanisms where Cuba participates.

The previously introduced "Hecho en Cuba" (Made in Cuba) event, showcasing main products for export, will be maintained in a permanent exhibition area. We believe this initiative will allow for more fluid interaction and a better grasp of the primary development lines, as well as exchanges with the main participating institutions and companies.

This way, the pillars of governance in Cuba—science, technology, and innovation—will be present more directly.

Special attention should be given to the presentation of the portfolio of foreign investment opportunities, which in this edition will include the new measures to invigorate the process, in line with the national development plan, the economic revitalization program, and current priorities.

Ensuring Stability for Foreign Investment

What are the main actions being deployed by the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba to guarantee the stability of foreign investment?

The Chamber of Commerce has organized itself into clusters that group companies from the same branch. The objective is to more effectively identify their sectoral strategy within the country's development plan, the main short, medium, and long-term projects, as well as common interests and needs, which of course include foreign investment businesses and export promotion.

Within each cluster, the main target markets for promoting the aforementioned projects are specified, and specific plans are established with the highest priority countries. One of the most significant ongoing actions is contact with sectoral and regional chambers, as well as branch associations, since diversifying relations is vital under current conditions.

In internationalization programs, we have promoted outgoing missions and participation in international fairs and virtual business meetings, organized by sector, with a group of countries. Hosting incoming business missions, organizing business forums in Cuba, is a relevant mechanism for promoting relations between Cuban entrepreneurs and the world.

As you can see, the portfolio of foreign investment opportunities is disseminated broadly, but for specific countries, particular projects are highlighted based on the characteristics and potential of their market.

Similarly, training programs that enhance the competence levels and negotiation skills of our entrepreneurs have been prioritized.

International Collaboration and Its Impact

Collaboration between the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba and its counterparts in different countries is recurring news. Could you cite some examples of these links and their impact on Cuban society and economy?

Currently, the Chamber has signed collaboration agreements with more than two hundred chambers and business associations.

Based on the national development program, the country's commercial policy, intergovernmental agreements, and Cuba's participation in different integration mechanisms, actions are deepening with the main trading partners and countries of greatest interest.

Bilateral business committees have been established with the Chambers of Commerce of Russia, Vietnam, Venezuela, Mexico, and Spain. Within the framework of these committees, projects are promoted, issues related to trade and investment promotion are discussed, and annual action plans are drawn up. This mechanism has proven effective for solving emerging problems, disseminating relevant norms and regulations, and also for promoting and finalizing foreign investment and export projects.

We maintain systematic work with the Association of Spanish Entrepreneurs in Cuba and must highlight relations with various binational chambers established in countries such as Brazil, Canada, Portugal, Switzerland, and Chile, among others.

The Value of International Fairs

Cuba's presence in influential international fairs and commercial exhibitions undoubtedly aids its opening to the world, which is very necessary nowadays. In your view, what is the impact of these actions for the Island? Could you mention some of the most significant recent examples?

International fairs are very important because they allow us to observe technological advancements, the quality, and the image of competing products. Specialized fairs, in particular, become marketplaces where supply and demand meet. Cuban products achieve good visibility there, and potential partners, clients, and suppliers are identified.

I should clarify that for the adequate preparation of Cuban companies' participation in international events, we work in advance to identify potential partners interested in Cuban products or projects, with the support of chambers and associations in the country in question. This way, the Cuban presence leads to follow-up actions, contributing to achieving results and effectiveness from participation in fairs and missions abroad.

For instance, following the recent participation in MACFRUT, the agricultural sector exhibition in Italy, letters of intent were signed for installing fruit and vegetable processing lines and for exporting habanero chili and fruits to Canada, which is already materializing.

From participation in SEOUL FOOD, an event dedicated to the agri-food sector, agreements were reached that subsequently concluded with the establishment of joint businesses for the marketing of natural products.

When working with concrete objectives and a market-focused approach, the results of Cuban companies' participation in exhibition events or trade missions are fruitful. That is why we constantly pay attention to preparing our entrepreneurs in this regard.

Snapshot of Foreign Business Presence

In terms of numbers, sectors, and countries of origin, how are the foreign companies registered in Cuba distributed?

Although having a representative office or branch in the country is not necessary to trade with Cuba, there are more than 900 established, which play an important role in commercial exchange and business.

The countries with the highest representation are Spain, Panama, China, Italy, Mexico, and the Russian Federation, which also coincide with important trading partners. This is logical, as being present in the Cuban market gives them a deeper knowledge of it and its economic reality. Beyond their weight in trade, it must be highlighted that most of these companies have stood by Cuban companies in times of difficulty, with understanding, sharing the problems, which demonstrates the confidence they have shown in the country's ability to move forward.

In terms of their business focus, they are present in almost all sectors: agri-food, transport and logistics, energy, construction, and others.

Strengthening Economic Clusters

Is there any other topic you consider timely to address?

The Chamber of Commerce is strengthening the organization of clusters to increase connections among economic actors within the same sector and to jointly undertake promotion, business negotiation, and problem-solving tasks.

This year, connection sessions have been held in almost all sectors, contributing to the knowledge of their productive capacities and business opportunities among these companies. This will remain a priority task for the institution next year.

The holding of FIHAV over the years has demonstrated, beyond being a commercial platform, the support the international community provides to Cuba in the struggle against the U.S. economic and commercial blockade.