With the opening today of the XXXIX edition of the Havana International Fair (Fihav 2023 - November 6 to 11), Cuba reopens a door to the world in terms of trade and economy.
This meeting, in the halls of the peripheral fairgrounds of Expocuba, in addition to seeking solutions and deals for the recovery of the island economy, means a symbol of the efforts of the country and its people to solve the most pressing problems, hence the importance of knowing this Chronology of the most relevant business exchange of the Caribbean nation.
Now, the meeting will host the celebration of almost twenty national days, the VI Investment Forum to promote Cuba's possibilities to attract foreign capital and, for the first time, a meeting of young entrepreneurs.
The organizers informed that businessmen from 58 countries, more than 20 official delegations and an equal number of chamber delegations and promotion agencies will participate in this version.
FIHAV AND ITS TRAJECTORY (CHRONOLOGY).
The Havana International Fair (Fihav), which starts today, is not only an excellent opportunity for business, but also a symbol of the economic recovery of this nation and its potential.
Its trajectory allows for a current 39th version, loaded with the attention of the most outstanding markets in the world, which is why many experts consider it the most important exhibition of its kind in Latin America and the Caribbean.
1983, Ibero-American Trade and Industry Fair (Fedeico). Inaugurated at the Havana Convention Palace, it was initially called Fedeico and was held from November 15 to 18 with 97 foreign and 11 national firms.
1984, II Havana International Fair (Fihav). Also at the Palacio de las Convenciones, from November 4 to 7, with more than 250 exhibitors from seven countries, with Spain as the most represented nation.
1985, III Fihav. From October 28 to November 2, at the Palacio de las Convenciones, with 699 exhibitors from 12 countries.
1986, IV Fihav. From November 1 to 7, with 687 exhibitors from 17 countries.
1987, V Fihav. The Pabexpo fairgrounds are inaugurated for this meeting which takes place from November 2 to 8 with the participation of 20 countries with an exhibition area of 6,529 square meters and 1,318 attendees. For the first time, the Gold Medal is awarded.
1988, VI Fihav. Continues at Pabexpo, this time with 1,39 exhibitors from 22 countries and 244 national exhibitors in an exhibition area of 6,459 square meters.
1989, VII Fihav. It is inaugurated in what would become the definitive area of the exhibition, Expocuba, on the outskirts of the capital. The commercial results achieved are highlighted, amounting to 174 million dollars. 826 exhibitors from 29 countries participate.
1990, VIII Fihav. From October 28 to November 4, the exhibition is held with 8,668 square meters and 1,742 businessmen from 29 countries.
1991, IX Fihav. Twenty-four countries represented by 1,146 exhibitors. 1992, X Fihav. This edition is held from November 1 to 8 with the presence of 32 countries represented by 2,16 exhibitors; Cuba stands out with a total of 3,372 square meters.
1993, XI Fihav. It is held from October 31 to November 7, with 1,872 businessmen from 45 countries, in a total exhibition area of 14,122 square meters and the Cuban participation occupies an area of 6,680 square meters.
1994, XII Fihav. More than 40 countries are represented and Cuba is present with 260 companies.
1995, XIII Fihav. It opened its doors with the presence of 1,700 exhibitors from 52 nations from Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa, a record number since 1983.
1996, XIV Fihav. Eight days of exhibition resulted in 153 business contracts for US$35 million. One thousand 510 firms from 60 countries participated in an area of 16 thousand square meters.
1997, XV Fihav. More than 1,800 exhibitors from 61 countries.
1998, XVI Fihav. Representatives from 75 countries participate, 15 countries more than the previous year.
1999, XVII Fihav. The participation and attractiveness of the largest Cuban commercial exchange grows.
2000, XVIII Fihav. On this occasion it brought together 63 countries, in that year 380 business deals were reported with the presence of foreign firms. Nearly two thousand firms, 500 of them Cuban.
2001, XIX Fihav. One thousand 200 companies from 60 nations participate.
2002, XX Fihav. More than 1,000 companies from 58 countries, in addition to 500 Cuban firms.
2003, XXI Fihav. More than 1,300 companies - 900 foreign and 407 Cuban - from 49 countries participate (November 2 to 9).
2004, XXII Fihav. More than 1,000 companies from 40 countries occupy 20 pavilions (November 1 to 7) and 10,000 square meters.
2005, XXIII Fihav. Two thousand firms from 42 countries participated. Dozens of contracts for more than US$400 million were won with the United States (food), Canada, Japan and France, among other countries.
2006, XXIV Fihav. 750 companies from 43 nations and 290 Cuban companies participate, with more than 10 thousand square meters of exhibition space, only two thousand square meters for Cuban products. Greater presence of China, Spain and Russia.
2007, XXV Fihav. 53 countries participate, all the pavilions of the fair are occupied, it is a large fair and there are more than 1,400 foreign businessmen. From November 5 to 10 at the Expocuba fairgrounds.
2008, XXVI Fihav. The 2008 fair was attended by more than 2,000 businessmen from 56 nations despite the U.S. measures against Cuba and the onslaught of hurricanes like Ike and Gustav, it was very attractive. Spain, Canada, China, Italy, Panama and Germany were the countries with the largest presence. Cuba was present with more than 300 companies from 21 economic sectors.
2009, XXVII Fihav. Representatives of firms from 53 countries and 49 Chambers of Commerce and Industries attended this edition.
2010, XXVIII Fihav. Forty-five countries participated in the exhibition. Venezuela arrived at the event at the head of the member countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA).
2011, XXIX Fihav. This meeting will be held from October 31 to November 5.
2012, XXX Fihav. Under the theme "Havana International Fair, 30 years at the service of trade". From November 4 to 9. More than 350 national companies participated in an area of five thousand square meters. More than three thousand exhibitors from 67 countries attended.
2013, XXXI Fihav. From November 3 to 9. One thousand 400 companies from 65 nations participated, including 24 from Latin America and the Caribbean, for 25 pavilions. An exhibition area of 23 thousand square meters, of which 18 thousand 300 were occupied by foreign participation.
2014, XXXII Fihav. From November 3 to 9.
2015, XXXIII Fihav. From November 2 to 7, with the presence of delegations from more than 70 countries.
2016, XXXIV Fihav. From October 31 to November 4. Covered an exhibition area of 29 thousand square meters. The first Investment Forum is held.
2017, XXXV Fihav. October 30 to November 3. Seventy countries participate, three thousand 400 exhibitors, in 27 thousand square meters, II Investment Forum takes place, new portfolio of opportunities are presented.
2018, XXXVI Fihav. From October 29 to November 2. This edition opened its doors at the Expocuba fairgrounds, dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the Villa de San Cristóbal de La Habana (November 16, 1519), with the presence of more than 60 countries, with Spain as the most represented (over three thousand exhibitors).
2019, XXXVII Fihav. From November 4 to 8, attended by more than four thousand participants from 60 countries, it was dedicated to the half millennium of Havana, which was celebrated on November 16 of that year.
2020 and 2021, the Fair was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
2022, XXXVIII Fihav. From November 14 to 18. 60 countries participate, and returns after two years of inactivity due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
2023, XXXIX Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2023-November 6-11, Expocuba).