- Cuba in Expo Milan A Business Window for the Island.
The Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba is nestled right in the heart of Havana, El Vedado neighborhood. Its Chairman, Orlando Hernandez Guillen shares with Excelencias magazine his views on one of the main tasks developed by the Cuban Chamber over the past three years: the participation of the largest island of the Antilles in 2015 World Expo in Milan
How was the beginning of Cuba in universal exhibits?
Not many people know that Cuba has participated since the first shows back in the 19th century, as a Spanish colony at the time. The island’s exhibition was not only about natural richness, but it also included works of art and literature, craftworks or products manufactured by the local industry, many of which were prizewinners. The project of Albear Aqueduct is the most eloquent example as it was praised at Universal Exhibits held in Philadelphia in 1876 and in Paris two years later, in 1878, where it won the gold medal and was described as one of the most remarkable constructions of the 19th century worldwide.
The central theme of this edition of the Expo is “Feeding the Planet: Energy for Life”. What do you make of it?
On the Cuban side, one of the critical goals of the present economic and social policy passed in 2011 is food security. That’s the reason why we took “Cuba: A Way to Food Sovereignty” as the slogan of our pavilion.
All in all, this concept takes into account the national capacity to apply all the knowledge in order to produce essential resources that back up food levels and guarantee the development of a healthy population, by increasing production and reducing imports. These objectives can be achieved by creating distribution mechanisms that clinch equitable access to food by every member of our society.
“Science targeting food security and quality” is one of the Cuban pavilion’s secondary themes. What can the Island share in the farming sector?
Cuba is internationally known as a country with men of science that have taken biotechnology to the highest level. The island nation has particularly developed agricultural biotechnology as a promising alternative to increase agricultural productions and food, while preserving biodiversity and ecosystems.
Cuba strongly believes that biotechnology applied on plants is the hope of this overpopulated planet and we want to show the importance of combining the results of an agricultural sector with sustainable and eco-friendly profile, with the achievements of molecular biology, so as to ratchet up productions and cut down on costs.
Cuba has recently opened its doors to foreign investment, which has attracted the attention of many countries. Will the Cuban Pavilion reflect this new policy?
Actually, Cuba’s opening to foreign investment is not recent or new. The first regulation on this matter goes back to 1982. Subsequently, in 1995, a law aimed at expanding possible investment opportunities and guaranteeing a safe environment for investors was passed. Recently, in March 2014, a new act won passage as a response to the State’s policy to foster the participation of foreign capital in the development of the country as an important element in the national investment effort.
As for the objectives of direct foreign investment, we stand for the intention of getting funds, new market, cutting-edge technology, managerial capacity and new jobs. New sectors open to direct foreign investment have been given top priority in an effort to export and replace imports, as in the cases of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, food and agriculture, renewable energy and real estate, all those topping the list.
We want the Cuban Pavilion to be a business window to the world in a bid to encourage direct foreign investment, boost up the exportation of products and services, and strengthen our stance in the Europe market as sought-after travel destination, specifically in Italy.
What could visitors find at the Cuban Pavilion?
If visitors follow the lead of authentic bartender and master rum makers, they will unravel the secrets of the Cuban rums, the culture they stand for while enjoying the most famous cocktails. Furthermore, it is going to be a perfect opportunity to choose among different brands of our finest rums, the aromatic coffee, souvenirs, visual artworks, music, and take a lot of that back home.
Among the new elements to be showcased at Cuba’s Pavilion, there’ll be live performances of Cuban artists, tasting sessions and the launch of authentic Cuban products, as well as presentations on markets, investment opportunities and tourism in Cuba.
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