CALLS MINISTER TO FIHAV 2022

Good morning, everyone.

We have called you here to talk about the Havana International Fair. I am accompanied by the members of the Organising Committee, Antonio Luis Carricarte Corona, president of the Chamber of Commerce; Roberto Verrier Castro, director of PROCUBA; and Eduardo Correa González, general director of the PALCO Business Group.

As is well known, in 2020 and 2021 it was not possible to hold this traditional event due to the health situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba and the world.

Today, the situation is different. In our country, thanks to the dedication of our scientists, we have three effective vaccines against the disease, we have immunised more than 90% of the population, including children over two years of age, with a full three-dose schedule, and almost 60% of Cubans have been vaccinated with a fourth booster dose. The control of the pandemic in Cuba, supported also by the comprehensiveness of our health system, is a real prospect.

In this regard, on behalf of the Organising Committee of the Havana International Fair, FIHAV, I am pleased to invite you to participate in its XXXVIII edition, to be held from 14 to 18 November 2022, at the EXPOCUBA fairgrounds.

FIHAV is the most important general trade fair in Cuba and the Caribbean, and one of the most representative in Latin America.

The Havana International Fair has been held since 1983 and is an excellent business platform for new and established companies. Its magnitude and importance are due to the fact that it is a space with the most complete national commercial exhibition.

Despite the economic, commercial and financial blockade of the United States government against Cuba, intensified in times of pandemic, we count, as always, with the confidence of businessmen from all over the world in the Cuban market, so we expect a wide participation in this new edition of the Fair.

For five days, exhibitors, businessmen and technicians from all sectors of the Cuban economy will converge at the Fair venue, together with a wide and varied international trade exhibition. It will be an appropriate space for the development of business meetings, business rounds, seminars and conferences, among other activities.

Within the framework of FIHAV 2022 we will hold the V Investment Forum which, judging by its previous editions, will be an excellent occasion to hold bilateral meetings between Cuban and foreign businessmen, potential foreign investors, as well as to continue sharing ideas and exchanging on the challenges ahead in terms of attracting investment.

There will also be activities to promote Cuban exportable funds, which will include the productions of the non-state management forms present at the event. As is customary at the Fair, various business forums will be held, and the delegations from each country will be able to celebrate National Days in their pavilions.

Likewise, a virtual business forum will once again be held, which will allow interaction with entrepreneurs who are not travelling to Cuba on this occasion.

FIHAV guarantees you interesting and fruitful working sessions and unforgettable moments during your stay in Cuba.

We look forward to seeing you at the Havana International Fair.

RODRIGO MALMIERCA DÍAZ

Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment

President of the FIHAV Organising Committee