Havana, Cuba.- The importance of promoting direct trade between Cuba and Turkey stood out this Wednesday at the First Session of the Bilateral Business Committee.

Both sections of the Committee work together to achieve direct trade between companies, promoting greater knowledge of both markets and the rapprochement of business in order to eliminate relations through third countries, said Cuban Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Ileana Nuñez.

In 2018, direct purchases of anthracite coal and various metals were made by Cuban companies, which reflects the first fruits of our joint work to promote trade in a direct manner, she emphasized when participating in the meeting.

Nuñez explained that they also worked with the objective of exporting directly to the Turkish market, achieving sales of charcoal, fruit juices and beauty and makeup products, among other items.

In 2018 there was an increase in trade between the two countries of more than 30 percent and efforts were made to reverse the presence of intermediaries from other countries in the commercial operations carried out between Turkish and Cuban companies, he stressed.

In the process of economic updating carried out on the island, the increase in foreign investment and the diversification of our commercial partners is of special importance, so Turkish companies have a wide opportunity to develop new projects and businesses in sectors prioritized by our country through our Economic and Social Development Plan until 2030, he added.

She referred to the importance of finding modalities that guarantee the financial support of operations and projects derived from the Action Plan of the Binational Business Committee for the period 2019-2020, signed this Wednesday.

For her part, the Turkish Vice Minister of Commerce, Gonca Yilmaz Batur, said that these meetings will contribute to establish a strong trade partnership between both countries and the creation of new ideas and projects, new ways to improve relations in different sectors.

Cuba and Turkey have been working together for a long time and we have had a successful economic and commercial relationship, he said.

Although we have made great efforts, we still consider that there is a great potential to analyze and exploit, there are still many potential areas such as agriculture, public health, transportation, he added.

Turkey is eager to further develop its trade ties with Cuba. Our Cuban colleagues have given us details about the investment opportunities in which we can participate, which opens up opportunities and exchanges,’ she said.