A programme called “Vietnamese Day” has been held in the framework of the 31 st Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2013), which is underway in Havana, Cuba.

Speaking at the opening of the event, taking place from November 3-9, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Duong Minh highlighted the special traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cuba , while calling on the two sides’ businesses to further cooperation to lift economic and trade ties between the two countries to an equal level with their political relations.

Deputy Director of the Trade Promotion Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade Ta Hoang Linh said the fair serves as a bridge to link Vietnamese and Cuban enterprises, providing them with an opportunity to share experience and discuss measures to promote long-term cooperation in the future.

He also expressed his hope that Cuban authorities will create favourable conditions for the two countries’ businesses to successfully implement cooperation programmes in trade and investment in Cuba in the time to come.

For his part, Cuba ’s First Deputy Minister for Foreign Trade and Investment Antonio Carricarte said the fair offers a chance for both sides’ businesses to study and exchange new goods.

He also gave details about the Special Development Zone of Mariel in the country, stressing that his country will facilitate Vietnamese firms’ investment in the zone in the coming time.

Carricarte and Cuban officials visited Vietnam ’s booths at the fair, where electronic products, construction materials, processed food, consumer and fashion products were on display.

The largest annual event of its kind in Cuba, FIHAV 2013 attracted the participation of 1,400 businesses from 64 nations, including 24 from Vietnam. -VNA