Havana, Cuba: Unlike other branches of the economy that move faster in the introduction of foreign investment, in the agriculture and the food industry, this process has been slow, although there more management is currently done.

This was recognized by the President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, during a control meeting that evaluated the progress of foreign investment and exports in the country.

According to the President's website, the head of state also said, that the leaders of both ministries, at all levels, should be more proactive and dynamic in the realization of business.

The Ministry of Agriculture works since 2018 with greater intentionality in attracting business. The deputy minister of the sector, Maury Echevarría Bermúdez, explained that in the last year it was concreted the creation of the joint company Tropical Contramaestre S.A. for the production and processing of fruits and vegetables, destined to tourism, the domestic market and export.

In addition, negotiation projects are being elaborated with three joint companies and one of totally foreign capital for the production of chicken in Pinar del Río, Mayabeque, Artemisa and the Mariel Special Development Zone, which will help to replace imports and stabilize the presence in the country of that product.

Four other projects for the production of pork are also under negotiation, through joint ventures in the provinces of Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, Mayabeque and Artemisa.

In the case of exports, Echevarría Bermúdez informed that the plan at the end of April was fulfilled at 110 percent, an endeavor in which the Tabacuba Business Group stands out, with all the levels of activity exceeded.

In this regard, Diaz-Canel highlighted the results that have been achieved with export schemes for tobacco, charcoal and honey, which could serve as a reference for working with other products.

The Ministry of the Food Industry, as detailed by its minister Iris Quiñones Rojas, has as projections for this year to continue the investment process of the joint venture Nescor S.A., destined to the production of coffee, biscuits and culinary products; likewise, start that of Comital S.A. for the production and marketing of fresh pasta.

The expansion of the Lefersa joint venture should also begin in 2019, through which yeast production will increase up to 3,000 tons per year.

About the export in this sector, the owner explained that they also override their plan for the date and work on the incorporation of new products, such as elver, which has a great acceptance and good price in the international market, as well as the lobster and also that of fresh waters.

In the documents of the VI Congress of the Communist Party, foreign investment was recognized as a complement to the Cuban economy; that concept changed in the seventh partisan appointment, when it was defined as a fundamental element of development.

 

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