Russian officials and businessmen have signed multiple agreements with their Cuban counterparts at a forum in Havana, in which they agreed to work together to increase the production of sugar and rum, guarantee the supply of wheat and oil to the island and modernize its dilapidated tourist facilities. .
Longtime political allies – both subject to US sanctions – are trying to cement economic ties by facilitating trade and investment.
“These sessions constitute a milestone in the history of our bilateral relations in general and business relations in particular,” Ricardo Cabrisas, Cuba’s foreign trade minister, said on Friday in a speech delivered at the closing of the forum.
The agreements include a contract for the Russian company Prodintorg to supply wheat to the Cuban state company Alimport to “guarantee stability” of supply to the population, according to a document from the Cuban-Russian Business Committee consulted by Reuters.
Another agreement will create a Cuba-based marketplace for Russian products, including food and household items, called Rusmarket, which will also help stimulate the development of more direct and seamless shipping routes between the countries, according to the document.
A third agreement declares the Russian and Cuban intention to revitalize the residential community of Tarara, which boasts white-sand beaches just minutes from Havana.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Chernyshenko separately announced on Friday a presidential order to restore regular flights between Russia and Cuba before July, suspended since March 2022 due to the conflict in Ukraine.
Other deals announced this week include one aimed at developing a Russian-Cuban rum company, which would seek to boost exports of the beverage from Cuba.
Russia also provided funds, know-how and technology to restart a steel mill in Cuba in order to supply construction materials to the island, Cuban state media reported.
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