MINSK, 27 September (BelTA) - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cuba to Belarus Santiago Perez Benitez spoke to the media ahead of the Belarusian-Cuban business forum in the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry about the most promising areas of trade and economic cooperation between Cuba and Belarus, BelTA has learned.
“Our countries have kept traditional ties of friendship and love since the times of the Soviet Union. We share common principles of independence and sovereignty with Belarus. We should work together to develop trade and economic relations at this difficult time to strengthen our bilateral partnership,” said Santiago Perez Benitez.
According to him, healthcare is the most interesting area for Cuba. “Cuba can contribute to improvement of healthcare, because this area is well-developed in Cuba. Today the first batch of Cuban vaccines against COVID is leaving for Belarus. We can also cooperate with Belarus in mechanical engineering; not only in the purchase of new models but also in the purchase of spare parts for the reconstruction of machinery already operating in Cuba. We are interested in the supply of spare parts for repair and restoration of tractors, MAZ trucks, AMKODOR equipment, and buses. We can assemble and develop projects to supply this equipment to the Latin American market. Belarus and Cuba also have great potential in digital economy and tourism. These issues should be approached flexibly, but if we work together, we will be able to overcome all the obstacles,” the ambassador said. There are more than 20,000 Belarus-made tractors working in the fields of Cuba today.
According to President of the Chamber of Commerce of Cuba Antonio Luis Carricarte Corona, plans are in place to reached certain agreements with Belarusian companies at the business forum. The Cuban delegation has already identified the partners they would like to work with. “The situation in the world is difficult now. However, due to the transformation of the Cuban economy, the country plans closest cooperation in agriculture and food production. Belarusian technologies, tractor and truck products and their maintenance are also in demand in Cuba. Cuba can be viewed as a bridge to the market of neighboring countries. The Cuban delegation includes companies involved in the production of pharmaceutical products, biotechnologies and they are interested in entering the Belarusian market. The forum will also considere opportunities for cooperation," he said.
At the Belarusian-Cuban business forum, the parties considered promising areas of Belarusian-Cuban trade and economic cooperation and urgent doing business issues. Representatives of the business communities of Belarus and Cuba negotiated the development of mutually beneficial cooperation and implementation of joint projects. Taking part in the forum were more than 90 representatives of 65 Belarusian enterprises invovled in such areas as agricultural engineering, banking and logistics, science and medicine, and special economic zones. Cuba was represented at the forum by 18 business representatives. The event was organized by the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce of Cuba and the Embassy of Cuba in Belarus.
