Havana - Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel met with heads of delegations, Cuban and foreign business representatives participating in the Havana International Fair, FIHAV 2019, currently in its 37th edition.

During the meeting, Diaz-Canel highlighted FIHAV's role in strengthening economic relations and acknowledged the difficult context in which the event is taking place due to increased US hostility, as national television reported on Wednesday.

The US economic, financial and commercial blockade against Cuba, however, did not prevent representatives from more than 60 countries from attending the Fair in an atmosphere of optimism and confidence in the potential of the Caribbean nation, the report noted.

The Cuban president also spoke with the visitors about Cuba's development plans and the determination not to give up, no matter how difficult the conditions.

Companies from Venezuela, China, Russia, Spain and other important markets annually attend FIHAV, considered the leading commercial exchange event in Cuba.

This 37th edition brings together business representatives from 60 countries, and 360 Cuban entities at exhibiting their products at Havana's ExpoCuba fairgrounds since Monday and through Friday, according to official data.