Cuban Ministry of Industries and UNIDO present joint program

Cuba´s Ministry of Industries (MINDUS by its Spanish acronym) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) presented the Country Program Framework for the period 2016-2020, during the 34 th International Fair of Havana (FIHAV 2016 by its Spanish acronym).

Hilda Morales, head of the Industrial Policy and Technological Development Department of MINDUS, said that industrial development is strategic for Cuba and in this regard she reported that 12 out of the 19 approved projects are directly linked to this ministry.

Fidel Domenech, coordinator in Cuba of UNIDO´s Country Framework Program, said the project promotes the achievement of a competitive industry that meets the needs of the Cuban population and provides comfort and better quality of life for all.

In this regard, he added, it calls for reducing the Cuban dependence on imports, diversifying the export industry, modernizing technology infrastructure, increasing the added value of products and services and changing the energy matrix to generation through renewable energy sources.

Gilma Noroña, National Director of IndCuba Project, explained the strategies for institutional development of MINDUS and the importance of the program for the strengthening of industrial capacities of the nation.

Projects like technology and business updating with a view to the manufacture of fertilizers and agricultural machinery, and another one aimed at strengthening competitiveness, organizational performance and export capacity were presented at FIHAV 2016 Central Pavilion, in addition to a cultural project focused on strengthening and promoting Cuban music.

To William Diaz, head of the Directorate of International Economic Organization, under the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, the agreement signed with UNIDO, which has a long-term strategic vision, is one of the most important projects adopted by the agency.
FIHAV 2016 is attended by representatives from 73 countries.