Ambassador Le Thanh Tung discussed with Chairman of the Cuban National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee and President of the Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association Yolanda Ferrer Gómez on the 76th anniversary of the National Day of Vietnam in Cuba, September 2021. Photo: VNA

During a recent meeting with leaders of Cuban western province of Artemisa, Tung expressed delight at the progress of Vietnamese-invested projects in Artemisa, most of which are located in Mariel Special Development Zone, said The World & Vietnam Report.

He said that many Vietnamese firms have shown their intention to invest in solar power, agriculture, tourism infrastructure and many other areas in Cuba.

First Secretary of the Party Committee of Artemisa Gladys Martínez Verdecia highlighted the potential of the locality and the challenges it is facing.

Despite geographical distance, Vietnam and Cuba have always stood by each other, and Vietnamese people always keep in their mind solidarity with the Cuban people, Ambassador Tung stressed.

Visiting Mártires de Tarará primary school, Amiguitos de los Vietnamitas kindergarten and Ben Tre village where Vietnamese bamboos grow, Ambassador Tung expressed his hope that the youth of both sides will continue to maintain and promote the special traditional friendship, comprehensive partnership and the absolute mutual trust between the two Parties, States and peoples.

Students at Nguyen Van Troi school perform a dance with the traditional Vietnamese hats on February 15, 2022. Photo: VNA

Also on July 7, the Vietnamese Ambassador visited Artemisa's Martyr Monument.

Earlier, he visited Mayabeque province, which is more than 50km east of Havana. At his working session with First Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Yuniasky Crespo Baquero and Governor Tamara Valido Benítez, both sides discussed the production in the locality and Vietnamese-invested projects to be developed this year.

Ample room for trade growth

Vietnam and Cuba see ample room for trade growth as two-way trade is valued at just about USD 200 million annually, VietnamPlus reported.

Although bilateral trade saw a downward trend in the recent years, Cuba remains among 10 countries with the highest trade turnover with Vietnam in America.

The Vietnam-Cuba Trade Agreement was inked in Hanoi in November 2018 during an official visit to Vietnam by then President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Diaz Canel.

Vietnam and Cuba see ample room for trade growth as two-way trade is valued at just about USD 200 million annually. Photo: VNA

However, the rate of capitalising on the trade agreement remains modest due to various reasons, including the prolonged pandemic and difficulties facing Cuban firms.

Vietnam mainly ships rice, coffee, chemical products, garment-textile, footwear and computers and accessories; and imports vaccines and pharmaceutical products from the Latin American country.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade, over the years, has sent delegations to participate in the Havana International Fair (FIHAV), Cuba's most important biennial trade fair. The ministry also supports Cuba’s pavilions at trade fairs hosted by Vietnam.

Cuba sent a strong delegation of 30 corporations and firms across the fields of electrical mechanics, renewable energy, industry and biological products, among others, to attend the Vietnam Expo held in 2018.

At present, four projects of Vietnam are operating in the Latin American nation, including those at the Mariel Special Development Zone./.

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