Maria Peña Mateos, CEO of ICEX Spain Exports and Investments, said at the 37th Havana International Fair, FIHAV 2019, that they will continue to commit to Cuba despite difficulties.

We want to continue supporting Cuba not only through the fair, but also by looking for new tools to improve the presence and visibility of Spanish companies in this market that is so loved by us, she stated.

Peña Mateos recalled that Spain's presence in FIHAV is the largest, with 110 companies from various sectors, including construction, agri-food industry, hospitality supplies, services and logistics.

This reflects the diversity of our presence here and our interests to continue working hand in hand with the Cuban productive sector and continue building together the welfare of this country, Peña added.

Exports from Spain to Cuba in the last year, and so far in 2019, year on year, have grown by more than 10 percent, she explained, which clearly reflects the commitment, reliability and support for this market even though the times are not the easiest.

For his part, Antonio Luis Carricarte, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of Cuba, referred to the complex situation in which FIHAV is taking place.

In this sense, he thanked Spain for its position against the US economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on his country, as well as the presence of ICEX every year at the fair.

FIHAV 2019 was opened on Monday at Expocuba fairgrounds with the presence of Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and will run until November 8, with the attendance of exhibitors from more than 55 countries.