FIHAV 2023, as busy as it is fruitful in its results

The 39th Havana International Fair, FIHAV 2023, which closed on Saturday and during which businessmen from 60 nations concluded business agreements or explored potential for alliances, all largely for the benefit of the Cuban economy, was as busy as it was fruitful in its results.

After touring several stands on the opening day, Miguel Diaz-Canel, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, said that FIHAV is a support of the international business community, which, he noted, despite the obstacles, still maintains a group of business with the island.

At the closing ceremony, Ricardo Cabrisas, deputy prime minister and head of foreign trade and foreign investment, pointed out that Cuba is not alone; the presence of friends and strategic partners willing to get effectively involved in the National Economic and Social Development Plan 2030 has been remarkable.

He added that more than 150 official and/or legal agreements were formalized at FIHAV 2023, including 24 export and 10 import contracts, 82 cooperation agreements and letters of intent that imply linkages, 10 production or service contracts between economic actors, four MOUs and three foreign investment deals.

Nations with strong economic ties such as Russia, China, Spain, Vietnam and Venezuela had a large presence in one of the most significant commercial exchanges in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Its program included the 6th Investment Forum and for the first time an international meeting of young entrepreneurs and the participation of the 15 provinces and the special municipality of the Isle of Youth.

Cubans living abroad, interested in doing business in the homeland where they were born, had their space in Expocuba, where products and services were presented, there were launches of fairs such as Expocaribe, Exposur and Fecons, and the celebration of the National Days of several countries.

According to Cabrisas, this fair is a sign of the continuous transformations carried out by the island in order to boost priority sectors such as agri-food, energy, light industry, construction, tourism, mining, information technology and telecommunications, among others.

The Investment Forum ratified Cuba as a country of opportunities for that activity, as was demonstrated in panels dedicated to the Mariel Special Development Zone, Cuban exports and industrial capacities with development potential with foreign participation.

The 40th edition of the Havana International Fair will be held from November 5 to 9, 2O24, four decades after such an important space for new business deals or the consolidation and expansion of others among entrepreneurs, including new economic players.