Moscow, Nov 11 (Prensa Latina) — It is a priority for our government to return to a path of economic growth, and in this endeavor, we count on the Russian business community—to whom we offer our full support—stated Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva today.
Pérez-Oliva, who also serves as the Caribbean nation’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, sent an online message this Wednesday to greet participants at the FIHAV-Russia 2026 business forum. The event took place at the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia in Moscow and was attended by Prensa Latina.
Cuba’s doors will always be open to the Russian business community
Pérez-Oliva noted that Cuba is facing a complex situation due to the intensification—to extreme levels—of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States against the Caribbean nation—a policy that Russia has firmly rejected.
He also highlighted the enduring, time-tested friendship between the two countries, noting that both nations share common challenges and have fought—and emerged victorious from—complex battles together.
For his part, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko—who also sent a video message to the event, organized by the Russia-Cuba Business Council in conjunction with the National Committee for Economic Cooperation with Latin American Countries—stated that trade between his country and Cuba grew by approximately one-third between January and August 2026.
“We see that Russian companies remain interested in marketing their products in the Cuban market and importing goods from Cuba. These imports increased by 40 percent in 2026,” said Chernyshenko. Cuba’s doors will always be open to the Russian business community.
The Cuban ambassador in Moscow, Enrique Orta, speaking about the opportunities offered by the Caribbean nation, stated that Cuba is implementing profound economic and social transformations, which have been sovereignly approved by its government.
According to Orta, these measures are aimed at revitalizing the economy while simultaneously strengthening and refining social protection mechanisms. At the same time, opportunities for investors are being introduced and diversified, and the concerns of the foreign business community present in Cuba are being addressed.
The event—a precursor to the 42nd Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2026), to be held from November 24 to 26 in the Cuban capital—drew a large number of Russian business representatives, both at the federal and regional levels, from key sectors such as tourism, agriculture, biotechnology, medicine, transportation, industry, and cosmetics.
