The President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Mr. Timothy Tucker attended the 38th edition of the Havana International Fair (FIHAV) from November 11th – 14th, 2022, in Cuba.

Exhibitors, business people and professionals representing all stakeholders and sectors of the Cuban economy assembled at the EXPOCUBA Fair Grounds in Havana for five days – Guyana’s FIHAV 2022 Booth was also present, where a variety of local products were widely displayed.

The international fair also hosted the V Investment Forum; which is a platform for bilateral meetings between Cuban and international business people, allowing them to share ideas and address challenges related to investments.

In addition to Tucker, Dr. Peter Ramsaroop Chief Investment Officer of Guyana and Agency Head of Guyana Office for Investment and H.E. Abdool Halim Majeed, Guyana’s ambassador to Cuba, participated in the five-day event.

FIHAV is named the most important general commercial exchange in Cuba and the Caribbean, and one of the most representatives in Latin America. The Havana International Fair has been held since 1983 but was halted in 2020 and 2021 due to the health situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic in Cuba and the world.

While in Cuba, Mr. Tucker attended the “Investopia Global Talks: Investment Opportunities in the Caribbean” which saw a presentation from H.E. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy United Arab Emirates and Dr. Ramsaroop.

Dr. Ramsaroop provided insight into Guyana’s investment climate along with plans for future development. He further stressed the importance of the Agriculture Sector as well as Food security.

Mr. Tucker had the opportunity to visit the embassy of Guyana in Havana and credits Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba for the facilitation of numerous meetings with the Cuban private sector representatives, heads of state and members of Government.

These meetings included: meetings with various business people in Cuba, the general secretary for the Cuba Chamber of Commerce as well as several Chambers of Commerce around the world. Mr. Tucker also attended and delivered brief remarks at a cocktail hosted by Cuba’s Chamber of Commerce and met with its president and vice president.

Mr. Tucker also briefly met Cuba’s president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, during his visit to the fair. He also met Cuba’s minister of construction and the two engaged in multiple bilateral discussions on facilitating trade between Guyana and Cuba businesses.