HAVANA, Cuba.- Panama will always be next to Cuba, President Juan Carlos Varela said when opening the pavilion of his country in the context of the 36th International Fair of Havana (FIHAV).

Varela referred to the growth of trade between the two nations, and thanked Cuba for cooperation in educational matters, a matter in which the island can show enviable results.

At the inauguration of the Panama Pavilion as part of the Havana International Fair, Juan Carlos Varela said his country is a platform for connection between the island and the rest of the Caribbean.

Panama’s President said Havana Fair is one of the most important commercial meetings in the region, and Panama will take advantage of it to connect the nations in a link without regression.

Strengthening Business Ties

At the inauguration of the Panama Pavilion at the Havana International Fair, President Juan Carlos Varela boosted the support for economic openness between both countries.

The distinguished visitor recalled the recent measure on the flexibilization of Cubans´ visits to Panama, which, he said, will strengthen relations and mutual exchange.

For his part, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Rodrigo Malmierca, highlighted the great potential to continue developing bilateral relations.

At the Havana International Fair, Malmierca reported on the signing of the agreement between the Commerce Chambers of both countries for the creation of the bilateral Business Committee; he insisted these measures will help the development of economic relations.

Investment Forum

More than a hundred foreign companies from more than 30 countries are present at the Third Investment Forum that meets in Expocuba, as part of the Havana International Fair.

Roberto Lopez Hernandez, Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, highlighted the contributions of meetings like this, which in previous editions allowed to materialize foreign investments in Cuba with the consequent economic benefit.

Mariel Special Zone of Development is present today in FIHAV, and its portfolio of opportunities for 2019 foresees a growth of capital, which in exceeds 470 million dollars this year.

Teodoro Garcia, president of Caribe Group reported the construction in Mariel of a factory to produce cheese, and other dairy products for domestic market and export.