ILIMPEX Returns to Fihav with New Challenges

With the primary goal of increasing its exports and penetrating new markets, the Cuban state company ILIMPEX is participating in the 41st edition of the Havana International Fair, Fihav 2025.

At the most important commercial event in the Caribbean nation, this entity belonging to the Light Industry Business Group is presenting a strengthened catalog of national products and consolidating its innovative cross-border e-commerce project, Cluster 37 (www.cluster37.com).

Edelio Rodríguez Orduñez, the General Director of ILIMPEX, highlighted the intention to conquer new markets, especially in Asia and Europe, to place high-quality products from the industry. These include hides (salted, wet blue, and finished), perfumery and toiletries, textile garments (guayabera shirts for men and women, pants, suits, sweaters), and textiles for agriculture (tobacco covers), among others.

"We have considered that these products have a real possibility of entering markets in the region," the executive stated.

“Cluster 37”: The Bet on Foreign Trade Digitalization

One of the main novelties that ILIMPEX is bringing to Fihav for the second consecutive year is its cross-border e-commerce platform, Cluster 37. This is a marketplace that digitizes foreign trade, allowing companies to promote and market their exportable items both in the domestic market with revenue in foreign currency and through direct export.

"It is a novel idea. There are many platforms, but they focus on selling imported products. What distinguishes us is the ability, based on our potential as an exporter, to provide the export service to our clients," explained Rodríguez Orduñez. "This gives us and the companies the possibility to gain brand internationalization, reach new markets, and find new customers."

Concrete Export Results and Future Alliances

ILIMPEX has already managed to finalize export operations, demonstrating the viability of its strategy. Among the mentioned successes are the export of wet blue hides to China, sweaters to the Dominican Republic, and guayabera shirts to Spain.

During Fihav, the company plans to sign an alliance with VITRAL to export paints to the Mexican market. Furthermore, productive chain projects with SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) are being highlighted. As an example, a line of biodegradable cups will soon be launched in collaboration with one of these new non-state forms of management.

ILIMPEX was approved in September 2023 as a subsidiary of the prestigious ENCOMIL and, in a short period, has evolved to recently become an independent state company. With a professional team of extensive expertise and committed to its corporate purpose, it focuses on diversifying services and boosting foreign trade for Cuban companies.