Vietnamese economy executive calls for improved ties with Cuba

Vice president of Vietnam’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hoang Quang Phong, urged here today to take full advantage of the opportunities to bring the economic relationship with Cuba to a new height. 
 
Quang Phong made his call while speaking at the Vietnam-Cuba Business Forum, held as part of the Vietnam Expo 2025 International Fair, currently attended by a large Cuban delegation.

The executive voiced full confidence in the prospects of cooperation among enterprises from both countries, as they achieve more substantive and practical results every day, and emphasized they have all benefitted from the bilateral trade agreement in force since 2020.

He praised Vietnam as the first Asian investor in Cuba and stressed that, although some achievements have already been made, there is still much potential and space to be exploited.

Chairman of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, Antonio Carricarte, referred to the complex economic situation currently gripping his country, as well as the government program for economic recovery, in which special importance is attributed to the agri-food sector.

He also pointed out the need for businessmen to get acquainted with the diversity of business opportunities Cuba is offering today, and hailed Vietnam’s potentialities as a trade partner for Cuba, where its investments can still become more significant.

As an example, he mentioned the possibility of establishing links between the public and private sectors, and called to detect small, financially manageable and sustainable projects allowing for greater and mutually beneficial cooperation.

In turn, the Cuban ambassador here, Rogelio Polanco, noted that the presence of a large delegation of his country in Vietnam Expo 2025 ‘is a demonstration of the importance we attach to the close ties with our Vietnamese brothers’.

Also today, the tenth session of the Vietnam-Cuba Business Committee was held in this capital, the Action Plan for the years 2025-2026 was signed between parties, to support the development of economic cooperation, trade and investment.

Addressing the meeting, Chairman of Vietnam’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pham Tan Cong, said that ‘the visit of the Cuban brothers was long awaited by the business community’ and ratified the Chamber’s willingness to offer maximum support to the Committee’s success.

The 34th edition of Vietnam Expo 2025 will be running from today through April 5, at the Hanoi International Exhibition Center, attended by over 500 companies from 16 countries and territories, the organizers said.