Havana Trade Fair Opens Doors

HAVANA TIMES — The 30th Havana International Trade Fair opens today in the capital as Cuba tries to strengthen its foreign trade potential.

The fair officially runs through November 9th at the Expocuba fairgrounds.

Cuba’s Foreign Trade Minister, Rodrigo Malmierca, who heads the event’s organizing committee, noted that despite the global financial crisis, foreign participation at the fair is up 15% from 2011.

Some 3,000 business people from 62 countries will be attending, said the official.

Last year some $300 million USD was negotiated at the Havana Trade Fair between Cuban entities and foreign companies.

This year Cuban and foreign firms will fill 18 exposition pavilions with their products, note the organizers.

The event is closed to the general public, although routinely an extra day of exhibition allows the population to visit the stands.