HAVANA.- Cubaindustria 2018 began on Monday in Havana with the presence of Cuba’s Vice President Commander of the Revolution Ramiro Valdés Menéndez.

Industry Minister Salvador Pardo Cruz pointed out that the event’s objective is to promote exports in addition to substituting imports and said that it will also favor the transference of technology favoring sources of direct financing through foreign investment.

The event will also be an opportunity to expose Cuba’s alternatives for the development of the strategic sectors of the economy to the year 2030.

Pardo Cruz pointed out that during the next five days will include rounds of negotiations, signing of agreements and the exhibition of products.

Business executives, academics, scientists, technologists and representatives from over 30 countries will be sharing their experiences and establishing alliances and businesses.

The exchanges will be held in the context of the updating of the island’s economic and social model ratifying its future vision as a socialist, sovereign, democratic, prosperous and sustainable future despite the continued economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba, he added.

Russian Vice Minister for Industries and Trade, Georgy kalamanov and China’s Vice President of the Industries and Information Technologies, wan Liangping participated in the inaugural session. Both ratified their country’s intention to continue cooperation projects with Cuba.