As part of high-ranking delegation of the Party and State led by General Secretary, President To Lam and his wife on a State visit to Cuba from September 25-27, Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi had talks with Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment and Co-Chairman of the Vietnam - Cuba Intergovernmental Committee Oscar Pérez Oliva Fraga, as well as with Cuban Minister of Construction René Antonio Mesa Villafaña.
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Vietnamese Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi worked with Cuban Minister of Construction René Antonio Mesa Villafaña.
At the meeting, the two sides were very pleased to meet again. Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi congratulated Minister Oscar Perez Oliva Fraga on being appointed by the Cuban Party and State as Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of Cuba. Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi emphasized that in April 2024, he and Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, who also serves as the Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment of Cuba, successfully co-chaired the 41st Session of the Vietnam-Cuba ICC. The two sides discussed and proposed solutions to improve efficiency and develop cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, science and technology into a new phase of more substantial and sustainable.
In particular, at the recent meeting between General Secretary and President To Lam and First Secretary and President Miguel Diaz Canel, they agreed to promote the role of the two Parties' relationship in consolidating the foundation of political relations, further tightening political trust and orienting cooperation between the two countries. The two sides agreed to identify agriculture as a strategic cooperation area; economy, trade and investment as priority cooperation areas; biotechnology and healthcare as potential cooperation areas...
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Vietnamese Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi and Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Oscar Pérez Oliva Fraga.
Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi stated that, based on the Minutes of the 41st Meeting of the Vietnam-Cuba Joint Committee for Cooperation, both sides have made concerted efforts to implement cooperation agreements and have achieved several positive results.
According to Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi, in addition to the achievements, the two sides need to frankly acknowledge some difficulties and shortcomings that affect the effectiveness of economic, trade and investment cooperation. Vietnamese enterprises investing in Cuba are currently facing common difficulties such as unstable supply of electricity, raw materials and supplies, the problem of two exchange rates; difficulties in transferring foreign currency liquidity abroad to import raw materials for production, etc.
Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi also affirmed that the two sides need to propose a number of new cooperation contents and methods, focusing on promptly removing difficulties for Vietnamese enterprises investing in Cuba.
At the meeting, Oscar Pérez Oliva Fraga, the Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment and Co-Chairman of the Vietnam Intergovernmental Committee, affirmed that the leaders of Vietnam and Cuba have issued a Joint Statement aimed at strengthening traditional solidarity, special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation for the new era. General Secretary and President To Lam and First Secretary and President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez reaffirmed that the special friendship, cooperation, and traditional solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba are a symbol of the era and a priceless asset of both Parties and the people of the two countries.
The two sides will continue to cooperate closely in defense, security, and foreign affairs, and pledge to promote and deepen bilateral economic, trade, and investment cooperation. Relevant agencies in both nations to work closely to resolve challenges and obstacles, leveraging the Vietnam-Cuba Trade Agreement to boost trade volume and diversify bilateral trade.
He emphasized that Cuba supports and encourages the presence and participation of Vietnamese enterprises and projects in the socio-economic development of Cuba and will prioritize creating favorable conditions for this collaboration.