In his opening remarks at the Business Forum (as part of the 23rd session of the Intergovernmental Commission between Cuba and Algeria, a three-day meeting being held in Havana), Cabrisas expressed his satisfaction with the development of the meeting.

He recalled that the event is taking place amid a difficult situation for the world, due to the shock caused by Covid-19, and geopolitical problems such as the conflict in Ukraine.

Cabrisas underscored 61 years of relations between Havana and Algiers, and noted the importance of mutual understanding and cooperation.

The Cuban minister thanked Algeria for its support for Cuba and the historic relations of brotherhood, and referred to its stance at the voting at the United Nations on a Cuban resolution against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba.

In this regard, Cabrisas also referred to these obstacles to Cuba’s economic and social development and the constant pressure from Washington, intensified during the Donald Trump administration with 243 measures, along with the unfair inclusion of Cuba in the list of State sponsors of terrorism.

He went on to say that such obstacles affect domestic development and intensify every day with a severe impact on finances and banks, tourism and the intention to discredit Cuba’s medical collaboration worldwide.

He stressed that despite these problems, Cuba defends itself through strong programs such as scientific research, the most outstanding example of which is the creation of three homegrown vaccines against Covid-19 and having the entire population immunized against that disease, especially children.

Cabrisas said that amid these problems, the 23rd session of the Intergovernmental Commission is a propitious moment to strengthen working relations with optimism and confidence.

The Cuban official noted the need to invest in infrastructure and modernize industry and foreign trade, both for national products and services, for which new measures are being taken.

He underlined the opening of Cuba to foreign investment in various sectors such as new technologies, renewable energy sources, agri-food, transportation and tourism, among many other fields.

He explained that regarding tourism, there is a wide portfolio of opportunities and mentioned other elements such as business in the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM), health care, the sugar industry, trade, packaging, new technologies, energy and mines, for example.

jg/mem/rfc