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LEADING UP TO THE 24TH HAVANA TRADE
FAIR
More than 750 companies from 43
countries and official delegations from 11 nations
DESPITE the ongoing, all-out efforts by the Bush
administration to intensify its blockade of Cuba,
the island continues to expand its trade relations,
as may be seen at the Havana Trade Fair (FIHAV),
which opens the doors to its 24th edition on October
30.
According to Abraham Maciques, president of the
FIHAV 2006 organizing committee, and Raúl Becerra,
head of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, more than 750
companies from 43 countries have confirmed their
participation, and their displays will occupy 10,833
square meters.
The
countries planning to occupy the most space include
China, with more than 2,400 m2, Spain with 1,400 and
Russia with more than 1,300. Other countries with
outstanding participation include Brazil, Italy,
Panama and Venezuela.
The
ALIMPORT Pavilion, as is usually the case, will
feature a large number of companies from the United
States, Chile, Switzerland and Uruguay, among
others.
At
the same time, 11 countries will be represented with
government institutions: Argentina, Brazil, Canada,
China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Germany,
Russia, South Korea, Spain and Venezuela.
Official delegations will be led by vice presidents,
ministers, deputy ministers, governors and other
important individuals from Angola, Algeria,
Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Ghana,
Guatemala, Nigeria, South Africa and Venezuela. From
the fair’s inauguration to its closing on November
4, they will be able to appreciate new products and
establish commercial ties that respond to their
interests.
Cuban companies, for their part, will occupy 5,000
m2, which together with that contracted by foreign
firms, adds up to total exhibition space of 15,800
m2, some 2,000 more than last year’s fair.
Raúl
Becerra, president of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce,
noted that the 290 Cuban enterprises that will
display their products in 87 stands include the
health sector, represented by biotechnology entities
and the medical/pharmaceutical industry. That
industry was the second-largest export line last
year after nickel, which will be represented by
Cubaníquel, one of the main Cuban basic industry
enterprises that markets nickel.
(Translated by English Dept, Granma International)
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