Cuba Initiative Takes Large British Business Delegation to Havana to mark 25 years of the Initiative

The Cuba Initiative Business Mission to Havana at the end of June was a great success with some 28 UK participants representing 19 companies meeting with a wide range of Ministers, senior policy makers and Cuban business representatives.

The highlight of the visit was a drinks reception held by President Díaz-Canel for the delegation at the National Palace of the Revolution where the President and other senior ministers spoke freely with delegates. (seehttp://www.granma.cu/cuba/2019-06-18/recibio-diaz-canel-al-copresidente-de-la-iniciativa-cuba-18-06-2019-23-06-38and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu_7xdeZkXA for more background).

During Lord Triesman’s bilateral programme of meetings with the President and Vice-President and his counterpart, Co-Chairman Minister Malmierca, it was agreed that the Cuba Initiative would now proceed to prepare a work plan setting out the particular projects which could deliver immediate positive benefits to Cuba – UK trade and investment relations.  With close attention from both sides, it is expected that these projects could be quickly put in place.    

The projects will be from a range of areas which are current priorities for the Cuban Government including:

i)   Energy (particularly in the area of renewable energy)

ii)  Food production and related supply-chain

iii) Tourism (investments and increased arrivals)

iv)  Increase of Cuban exports of goods and services