A promotional event was held in Havana, Cuba, on May 13 for the upcoming 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE), gathering over 20 participants from local government authorities, the Chamber of Commerce, and local enterprises.

Zhang Xuan from the Chinese Embassy to Cuba said at the event that Cuba is the first country in the Western Hemisphere to establish diplomatic relations with China and 2025 marks the 65th anniversary. China and Cuba have set an exemplary model of cooperation and mutual assistance between socialist nations and among developing countries. Cuban exhibitors have been active in past editions of the CIIE, introducing many specialty products to China. China welcomes more Cuban partners to seize the development opportunities offered by the expo.

Zhang Weimin, assistant president of the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), said that China and Cuba have maintained friendship for decades and this promotional event serves as a fitting occasion to mark the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Preparations for the 8th CIIE have been in smooth progress and we hope the Cuban government and business associations will encourage more companies to participate.

According to Tania Aguiar Fernández, vice president of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, since Cuba and China established diplomatic relations 65 years ago, the two countries have been very good friends. She shared the experience of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce as Cuba’s official organizer: Having brought premium Cuban products to the 6th edition of CIIE and helped BioCubaFarma participate in the Enterprise & Business Exhibition, the Chamber is well aware of the importance of the CIIE for Cuban enterprises and is willing to bring more exhibitors to the event this year.

At the promotional event, the Cuban Chamber of Commerce signed a contract for participation in the Comprehensive Country Exhibition of the 8th CIIE and BioCubaFarma also signed a participation contract with the CIIE Bureau. 

The CIIE working team introduced the key highlights and accomplishments of the expo and shared stories of past Cuban exhibitors. 

The promotional event was hosted by the CIIE Bureau and the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) with support from the Chinese Embassy in Cuba and the Cuban Chamber of Commerce.

While in Havana, the CIIE working team visited Cuba’s Ministry of Food Industry (MINAL) and Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX) to encourage more small and mid-sized enterprises to participate in the CIIE. The team also went to BioCubaFarma to learn more about the company and about what it needs at the upcoming CIIE. 

On May 13, Hua Xin, Chinese ambassador to Cuba, met with the CIIE working team. According to Hua, China and Cuba, both socialist countries, have enjoyed a long-lasting friendship. The embassy will coordinate various parties to jointly encourage participation in the CIIE to help more Cuban products enter the Chinese market and enable Cuban companies to gain greater development opportunities.

By Li Hanmeng