Foreign investment, exports and development along the path of proactivity
Diaz-Canel highlighted the results that have been achieved with the export schemes of tobacco, charcoal and honey. Photo: Estudios Revolución
Unlike other branches of the economy that have advanced more rapidly in the introduction of foreign investment, agriculture and the food industry, this process has been slow, although there is now more management.
This was recognized by the President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, during a check-up that assessed the progress of foreign investment and exports in the country.
The president also said, according to the website of the Presidency, that the leaders of both organizations, at all levels, should be more proactive and dynamic in business.
The Ministry of Agriculture has worked since 2018 with greater intentionality in attracting business. The vice minister of the sector, Maury Echevarría Bermúdez, explained that last year witnessed the creation of the mixed company Tropical Contramaestre S.A. for the production and processing of fruits and vegetables for tourism, the domestic market and export.
In addition, negotiation projects are being developed with three joint ventures and a totally foreign capital for chicken production in Pinar del Rio, Mayabeque, Artemisa and the Special Zone of Mariel Development, which will help replace imports and stabilize the presence in the country of this demanded product.
Four other projects for the production of pork are also in the negotiation phase, through joint ventures in the provinces of Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Mayabeque and Artemisa.
In the case of exports, reported Echevarría Bermúdez that the plan at the end of April was fulfilled at 110 %, an effort in which the Tabacuba Business Group stands out, with all levels of activity over-completed.
In this regard, Diaz-Canel highlighted the results that have been achieved through export schemes of tobacco, charcoal and honey, which could serve as a reference for work with other products.
The Ministry of Food Industry -as detailed by its minister Iris Quiñones Rojas- has as projections for this year to continue the investment process of the mixed company Nescor S.A., aimed at the production of coffee, biscuits and culinary products, as well as start the Comital S.A. for the production and marketing of fresh pasta.
The expansion of the mixed company Lefersa, which will increase the production of yeasts up to 3,000 tons per year, should also begin in 2019.
About the export in this sector, the Minister explained that they are also overfulfilling their plan for the date and they are working on adding new products, such as elver, which has great acceptance and good price in the international market, as well as live lobster and that of fresh water as well.
In the documents of the Sixth Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, foreign investment was recognized as a complement to the Cuban economy; that concept changed in the seventh party meeting, when it was defined as a fundamental element of development.
(Taken from Granma in Spanish)
Written by Radio Grito de Baire
