subscribe to news Maxim Fateev took part in business mission of Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Cuba

On November 24, the Russian exhibit at the 41^st Havana International Trade Fair (FIHAV) was officially opened in Cuba. At the ceremony, Sergey Katyrin, President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, delivered a welcoming address. He is visiting Havana as the head of a Chamber delegation participating in a multi-sector business mission.

In his speech, the President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphasized the importance of exhibitions for promoting Russian products abroad.

“Major international exhibitions and congresses, such as FIHAV, act as an important driver of mutual trade and investment. In this regard, we believe it is essential to continue the practice of Russian exhibitors participating in FIHAV. We also hope for more active participation by Cuban businesses in exhibitions held by EXPOCENTRE, the flagship of our exhibition industry,” he said.

The next important event on the delegation's Cuba itinerary was the Russian-Cuban Business Forum, organised with the support of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Russia-Cuba Business Council, and the National Council of the Cuban Economic Union (NC SESLA).

Opening the event, the President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry noted the positive dynamics in trade and economic relations and the importance of active cooperation between the business circles of the two countries.

"Despite current geopolitical challenges, we and our Cuban colleagues continue to make fairly confident progress on a number of tracks of the current trade, economic, and investment agenda. At the same time, we understand that the potential of our cooperation is still far from being fully realized," he said.

By the end of the first half of 2025, trade turnover between Russia and Cuba had grown by 17%, and exports by 15.4%. According to Sergey Katyrin, further progress is possible with the improvement of financial mechanisms, the expansion of logistics routes, improved conditions for investors, and the exploitation of new opportunities associated with Cuba's accession to the BRICS partner states.

Maxim Fateev, General Director of EXPOCENTRE, delivered a report on exhibition activities as a tool for developing trade and economic cooperation between Russia and Cuba. He suggested that Cuban enterprises make more active use of the EXPOCENTRE exhibitions as one of the most effective marketing tools.

“Exhibitions remain one of the most effective tools for bringing products to new markets. According to the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, about five million companies annually present their products, services and technologies at exhibitions, and more than 300 million professional visitors make decisions about cooperation at such venues. For Cuban businesses, this is an opportunity to promote food and beverages, medical and tourism services, and ICT solutions in direct dialogue with Russian partners by participating in the leading exhibitions of EXPOCENTRE such as Prodexpo (food and beverages), Sviaz (ICT), Zdravookhraneniye (healthcare), and MedTravelExpo,” emphasized Maxim Fateev.

He also highlighted the format of the national exposition as a key tool for the country's international positioning, “The National Exhibition, organized with state support, allows us to present in a concentrated form the results of the country's development in the economy, industry, science, culture and related fields within a single space. I would like to remind you that the National Exhibition of the Republic of Cuba was a great success at EXPOCENTRE in 2019, becoming an important marker of trust and business openness between our countries. I am convinced that the time has come to consider the possibility of holding the next National Exhibition of the Republic of Cuba in Moscow in a year or two. EXPOCENTRE is ready to provide organizational support for such a project.”

The Forum brought together companies from both countries representing various sectors with potential for developing trade, economic, and investment potential: agro-industrial complex, pharmaceuticals and medicine, industry and energy, digital technologies, logistics and transport, and tourism.

The possibility of Russian companies participating in the modernization of Cuba's industry, including the restoration of the sugar industry, as well as in projects within the Mariel Free Economic Zone, was also discussed.

On the same day, the President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry held a working meeting with Vladimir Koronelli, the Russian Ambassador to Cuba, during which they discussed current bilateral issues, focusing on problematic areas of bilateral cooperation. Maxim Fateev, General Director of EXPOCENTRE, also took part in this meeting.

A working meeting was also held between the head of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Governor of the Ryazan Region, Pavel Malkov. A memorandum of cooperation was signed at the Ryazan Region stand between the regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Cuban company Suchel Camacho.

The work of the Russian delegation will continue on November 25. Meetings are planned with Antonio Luis Carricarte Corona, President of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, and the heads of individual relevant ministries and departments.

Press Service, EXPOCENTRE AO
Source: the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry