This issue was discussed by Nikolay Kushnarev, Director of the Industrial Policy Department of the Eurasian Economic Commission, during his working visit to the Republic of Cuba held on November 14-18.
In furtherance of the Cuban initiative to create the Eurasian Economic Union’s industrial park in the territory of the Mariel Special Development Zone (SDZ), Nikolay Kushnarev held negotiations with Ana Teresa Igarsa Martinez, Director General of the Mariel SDZ. The parties discussed in detail the conditions for creating the Eurasian industrial park as well as the possibilities for providing assistance to the EAEU countries' industrial companies to promote them in the Cuban market, including in the region's trade and value-added chains.
As envisioned by the project initiators, in the future, the Mariel Industrial Park can manufacture pharmaceutical chemicals and biotechnological products, medical equipment, machinery and equipment for agricultural and industrial use, for cargo and passenger motor vehicle industry, and appliance equipment oriented to the markets of regional strategic partners (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, and Mexico).
Nikolay Kushnarev and Manuel Marrero, Prime Minister of Cuba, discussed some prospects of industrial cooperation between the EAEU States and the Republic of Cuba. The meeting took place at the venue of the 38th Havana International Fair FIHAV-2022. Manuel Marrero stressed Cuba's high interest in accelerated cooperation with the EAEU States, focusing on cooperation in such areas as machine-building industry, ferrous metal industry, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals.
"We also hope to extend mutual supplies of industrial products being of mutual interest to Cuba and the EAEU Member States," Prime Minister of Cuba said.
In turn, Nikolay Kushnarev informed on the results of negotiations with the Ministry of Industry of Cuba and the Mariel SDZ and preparing specific steps to establish cooperation between enterprises.
“We invite enterprises, associations and representatives of the Ministry of Industry of Cuba to take an active part in the work of our sector-specific working groups and technological platforms, which will contribute to building contacts and including the Cuban companies in cooperation chains,” the Commission's representative emphasized.
On the fair's sidelines, Nikolay Kushnarev also held negotiations with Edismar Saavedra Yero, Director General of Industrial Development of the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Cuba, Inalvis Vonasnea, Head of the Department of Europe of the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Investment of Cuba, Jorge Luis Suarez Rodriguez, Vice President of the Iron and Steel Industry Business Group GESIME, as well as representatives of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce. The parties agreed on specific steps to develop industrial cooperation between the Union countries and Cuba and signed a working meeting memorandum, emphasizing the parties' wide possibilities for cooperation in the manufacturing industry.
For reference
The Havana International Fair FIHAV-2022 is one of the largest trade and exhibition events since 1983 in the Caribbean and one of the most representative in Latin America. In 2020-2021, the event was not held due to difficult epidemiological situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The FIHAV-2022 Fair hosted representatives from over 60 countries.
More than 20 Russian companies operating in the motor-vehicle, chemical, medical and light industries, information technology, design, construction, and equipment manufacturing demonstrated their products and inventions to Miguel Diaz-Canel, President of Cuba, and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz.
Mariel Special Development Zone with a total area of 465.4 sq. km is located in the north of Artemis Province. The SDZ was established in 2013 and is directly administered by the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Cuba.
