About 24 Vietnamese enterprises engaging in foodstuff, textiles, electronics, construction, home appliances and handicrafts are participating in a trade fair that opened in the Cuban capital Havana on November 3.

The Havana International Fair, known as FIHAV 2013, is the largest annual event of its kind in Cuba. It attracted the participation of 1,400 businesses from 64 nations.

Speaking at the opening of the event, which will run until November 9, Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Rodrigo Malmierca noted that this year’s fair has attracted the largest number of participating countries in the past decade.

He also said the fair offers a chance for foreign businesses to get a better understanding of the Cuban market, and investment and cooperation opportunities in the Caribbean state.

The Minister gave details about the Special Development Zone of Mariel, 50 kilometres west of Havana.

He said investors in the zone will be provided with tax incentives as the Cuban Government will facilitate foreign investments and consider them a key part in its socio-economic development programme for the future.-VNA