Havana - Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel on Monday inaugurated the 37th edition of the Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2019), attended by more than 4,000 representatives from nearly 60 countries.

In his opening remarks, Foreign Trade and Investment Minister Rodrigo Malmierca stressed that the event takes place in very complex circumstances due to the tightening of the United States economic, commercial and financial blockade against the island.

In this sense, he recalled that several foreign businesses operating in Cuba have received threats and been the object of lawsuits in the United States, conducted through illegitimate laws.

Faced with this situation, we reiterate our government's determination to honor its commitments, the official stressed.

Despite this panorama, Malmierca noted that the event reaffirms the confidence of foreign businesses in Cuba and offers a space to exchange with business people from different parts of the world.

He highlighted the presence at FIHAV 2019 of official delegations from many countries, including Angola, Venezuela, Ireland, Nicaragua, Mexico and Jamaica.

In 2019, foreign investment has continued to advance in several spheres such as tourism, renewable energy, mining and the agri-food sector, the minister explained.

FIHAV 2019 will present the 'Foreign Trade Single Window' one-stop service system, an initiative that will facilitate and simplify procedures related to the country's imports and exports.