With the presence of Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, President of the Republic of Cuba, the 37th edition of the Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2019), one of the most representative commercial exchanges in Latin America, was inaugurated at the Expocuba fairgrounds. Caribbean.

"In very complex circumstances" this event takes place, attended by some four thousand businessmen from more than 60 countries, showing the interest in Cuba as an attractive place to establish business, despite the blockade of the United States, said Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, Minister of Commerce Foreign and Foreign Investment (MINCEX).

In the opening remarks, the minister thanked this significant turnout, "in an environment of optimism and confidence in the country's opportunities." "Only the effort of national organizations and foreign companies has allowed us to face the current limitations of financial resources."

Malmierca Díaz alluded to the impact of world conflicts on the development of investments and international trade, "to which Cuba is no stranger in its condition as an open economy," coupled with the effects of recent measures by the US government, such as the application of the Helms-Burton Act, obstacles to access to fuels and the restriction of family remittances.

The also President of the Organizing Committee of FIHAV 2019 confirmed that the Island needs foreign investment to play a more active role, with the aim of promoting exports, hence he works to improve the climate for the establishment of investments, eliminating internal obstacles.

Malmierca Díaz announced that from the beginning of next year, the Single Window for Foreign Trade system will begin to operate.

In reviewing the main results in this activity, the head of the MINCEX added that Cuba is making progress in carrying out business in prioritized sectors such as renewable energy, tourism, industry, mining and agri-food.

"New projects have also been signed within the Mariel Special Development Zone, which will have an exclusive pavilion at this Fair," he summarized.

This event is attended, he said, by Cuba's main trading partners: Venezuela, Russia, China and Spain, the latter repeating itself as the most represented country.

He appreciated the participation in FIHAV 2019 of US companies, which recognize the importance of maintaining ties with the Caribbean nation.

According to the Minister, this edition is dedicated to Villa San Cristóbal de La Habana, close to its 500th anniversary, a distinction that is reflected in the decoration of the Expocuba enclosure, which houses a representation of national companies in its central pavilion.

Spain and Russia, two of Cuba's main trading partners, premiered their respective pavilions today at the 37th Havana International Fair, FIHAV 2019; Both nations confirmed their growing interest in the market of the largest of the Antilles.

On the national day of the Iberian nation, María Peña Mateos, CEO of ICEX Spain Export and Investments, stated that they will continue betting on Cuba, according to a note from the Cuban News Agency.

"We want to continue supporting not only through the Fair, but in the search for new instruments to improve the presence and visibility of Spanish companies in this much-loved market," he said.

Peña Mateos recalled that Spain's presence in FIHAV is the most numerous, with 110 companies from various sectors, including construction, the agri-food industry, supplies for the hospitality industry, services and logistics.

From Spain to Cuba since the last year and so far in 2019, they have grown by more than 10 percent, he explained, which reflects the commitment, reliability and commitment to this market despite the fact that the times are not the most easy.

He reported that they continue to implement new instruments to support bilateral investment and trade.

According to the official, this year there are 13 percent more Spanish companies that export to Cuba, which in total total about 3,500, and of which a third — about 1,000 — do so regularly.

According to Peña Mateos, Spanish foreign trade with this Caribbean country grows by nine percentage points more than with the rest of the world.

He recalled the visit to Cuba of María Reyes Maroto, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism of Spain, on dates close to the activation of Title III of the Helms-Burton Law, which was the key sign of the support of that European nation towards the Cuban economy.

Antonio Luis Carricarte, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of Cuba, alluded to the complex situation in which FIHAV 2019 develops.

In this sense, he thanked Spain for its stance against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States, as well as the presence of ICEX each year at the fair.

Russia also reaffirmed this day its economic and commercial ties with the Antillean nation, when the flag of the Eurasian nation was inaugurated in Expocuba.

Andrei A. Guskov, Russian ambassador to Cuba, affirmed that bilateral relations "are at a very high level and have a strategic nature," reports the Prensa Latina agency.

"Our stand is one of the most representative of the fair, which is a good indicator of the willingness of the Government and Russian companies to further deepen cooperation with the largest of the Antilles and other Caribbean countries," he said.

He pointed out that recent agreements signed between Havana and Moscow open the way for the more active participation of capital and Russian companies in spheres of the Cuban economy such as energy, metallurgy, the automotive and railway industry, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.

About the event, which will run until Friday in this capital, he considered it to be one of the most prestigious fairs in the region.

The Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca, spoke in a similar vein, highlighting the recent visits of Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to Russia and the Prime Minister of that nation, Dmitri Medvedev, to the island.

Russia is a strategic ally, said the official, citing the participation of Russian companies in that country in key sectors of the Cuban economy, and also denounced the intensification of the United States blockade against Cuba, close to serving six decades.