The Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in India, Alejandro Simancas Marín, chaired a business forum on trade and investment opportunities between Cuba and the Indian state of Kerala, held in the capital city Thiruvananthapuram and organized by the Indian Economic and Trade Organization (IETO). In the context of the event, the commercial office of this organization for the promotion of business with Cuba in that southern state was opened, which will be headed by K. G. Anilkumar, President of the company ICL Fincorp.
In his speech, the head of the diplomatic mission of Cuba in India, highlighted the traditional ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, as well as the potential for developing bilateral economic ties.
For his part, Dr. Asif Iqbal, president of IETO, highlighted the work carried out by the institution since last year, with the organization of four multisectoral business delegations to Cuba and six business forums in different states of India. In that framework, it was also announced the organization of a business delegation from the state of Kerala in the first quarter of 2023.
As part of the program, Cuban diplomat Abel Aballe Despaigne made a presentation to the business community present at the event on the current state of economic relations between the two countries; while highlighting the various trade and investment opportunities in sectors such as tourism, renewable energy, mining, biopharmaceuticals and agri-food, with emphasis on the sugar industry.
Also present at the event were members of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, state government officials, IETO executives and representatives of the Kerala business community.
Following this, the Cuban Ambassador and the Minister of Law and Industry of the Kerala State Government, P. Rajeev, presided over a seminar on the existing potentialities for developing bilateral trade and cooperation relations In their speeches, both stressed the willingness to strengthen the ties and support trade and economic relations in a way that would contribute to the development of both territories.
The Principal Secretary of Industries of the State of Kerala, Suman Billa, made a presentation on the history of cooperation ties, as well as the different opportunities identified to continue developing them in areas such as public health, the biopharmaceutical industry, scientific-academic exchange, among others.
At the event, Dr. Aleida Guevara, daughter of the Heroic Guerrilla, Ernesto Che Guevara, was also present, who thanked the gestures of friendship and solidarity of the people of Kerala towards Cuba, particularly in the fight against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the government of the United States on the island for more than sixty years.
Figures of the Government of Kerala, members of the diplomatic mission of Cuba in Delhi and local businessmen also participated in the exchange.
