MINSK, 27 September (BelTA) - The business communities of Belarus and Cuba have plans to develop cooperation in medicine, engineering and logistics, Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Denis Meleshkin told reporters ahead of the Belarusian-Cuban business forum at the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BelCCI), BelTA has learned.
It was the first meeting of business representatives of the two countries in a long time. "The Cuban side was enthusiastic about our idea to hold the forum. On behalf of Belarus the event was attended by more than 90 representatives from 65 enterprises that would like to promote their goods to the Cuban market: industry, especially agricultural engineering, banking and logistics, science and medicine. Special economic zones were also represented at the event, namely the Chinese-Belarusian industrial park Great Stone, and the free economic zones," Denis Meleshkin said.
According to the deputy chairman, for Belarus Cuba is a partner in export-import operations, an independent country. At the same time, Cuba is seen as a gateway to the large market of Latin America - Venezuela, Bolivia and other major countries in the region. "We always position Belarus as a gateway to the large market of the Eurasian Economic Union, including thanks to international projects that are being implemented in our country. For example, the Great Stone or the free economic zones offer the possibility of hosting joint ventures and innovative projects that the Cuban side presented today. The EAEU can be considered as their target market," Denis Meleshkin added.
In 2021 the trade between Belarus and Cuba amounted to $22.9 million, with Belarusian export exceeding $20 million. "Our countries can do more. Establishing of business contacts between the business communities of Belarus and Cuba will spur trade and economic relations between the two countries," Denis Meleshkin is sure.
During the forum, the parties considered promising areas of Belarusian-Cuban trade and economic cooperation and topical issues of doing business. Representatives of business circles of Belarus and Cuba held talks on the development of mutually beneficial cooperation and the implementation of joint projects. The event was organized by the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry together with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Cuba and the Embassy of Cuba in Belarus.
