FIHAV 2025 Concludes, Highlighting Cuba's Economic Push

The 41st Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2025) concluded today, bringing with it heightened attention on new Cuban economic measures announced during the event.

A lengthy list of possibilities, primarily concerning foreign investment, has captured the full attention of the Fair's attendees. Companies and experts are closely monitoring these new measures, which cover a wide spectrum.

At the VIII Investment Forum held within the framework of the Fair, the Vice Prime Minister and Head of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Oscar Pérez-Oliva, detailed these measures and the Government's program for macroeconomic stabilization.

Key Announcements and Strategic Sectors

One of the standout topics involves Special Zones. The promotion of creating such zones—not necessarily on the scale of the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM)—for specific activities like real estate or technology parks continues.

Authorities pointed to new financial and real estate modalities, including Selective Swap Operations. These involve the selective implementation of swap operations—exchanges of debts—with the objective of restructuring obligations and obtaining foreign currency income or access to financing sources.

This is followed by a push for the real estate business, promoting a new model where the foreign party provides financing to execute investments in residential projects. These businesses must be self-sustaining in foreign currency and comply with requirements for property protection, energy efficiency, and the use of renewable energy sources.

Priority Sectors for Development

Authorities reiterated a priority focus on key sectors for national development. The first is food production, where more flexible and simpler new business modalities are being promoted to generate a rapid increase in production. Vietnamese companies for rice production were highlighted as a successful example. "The message is clear: any business focused on food production will be positively valued," they emphasized.

The second key sector is the knowledge economy. Given the qualified workforce, alliances are being encouraged in sectors such as IT, biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical industry, leveraging Cuba's many trained professionals with the capacity to generate knowledge.

Legal Framework and Inclusion

Regarding the legal framework, the Vice Prime Minister emphasized that "none of these proposals contradict the Constitution of the Republic of Cuba, the Guidelines, or the Conceptualization," stating that these are decisions which, under that framework, can be carried out without any difficulty.

For Cubans Residing Abroad who wish to invest in their country, he confirmed that all these matters are tacitly applicable. "Cubans who reside abroad and wish to invest can do so without any differentiation or obstacle."

Updated Investment Portfolio

Complementing the announced flexibilization measures, an updated portfolio of investment opportunities was presented, comprising 426 projects.

This portfolio has a sectoral focus directed mainly at food production, industry, tourism, and energy—the latter with a specific focus on oil prospecting and extraction. The projects are located in all provinces of the country, with 38 of them arising from local initiatives. From the total portfolio, a group of 83 projects with high export potential was selected for higher priority.

Collectively, these new measures constitute a broad economic framework that could bring benefits to Cuba and its commercial partners, as was evident during the days of the Fair (November 24-29, Expocuba fairgrounds), a meeting widely valued by businesspeople and contractors.