Businessmen and exhibitors from more than 50 countries will attend the 40th edition of the Havana International Fair, Fihav 2024, which will be held at the Expocuba fairgrounds in the Cuban capital at the beginning of November.

According to what transpired on Thursday in a check-up of the preparations for the largest commercial exchange of the country and the region, which was headed by the member of the Political Bureau and prime minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, the participation of more than 500 foreign companies and 200 national ones is expected.

According to the Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Oscar Pérez-Oliva, Fihav 2024 will also be attended by representatives from Cuba’s provinces, whose pavilions will be able to showcase their potential. In addition, more than 17,000 square metres have been contracted.

Pérez-Oliva stressed that the conditions are in place for the event to be successful, and the widespread interest in participating is due to the confidence of international business in the opportunities for association and collaboration in the Antillean nation.

«This year the fair has a special connotation, as we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the conception of the largest multi-sector trade fair in our country and the Caribbean, which had its origins in 1984, thanks to the vision of the Commander in Chief, Fidel Castro Ruz,» he said.

In addition, this event is taking place in the context of the important transformations that our country is undergoing to correct distortions and boost the economy in 2024, said the Minister, who added that even in the midst of the complex financial conditions that we face «the conditions exist for us to have an austere, decent and dignified fair».

The Minister explained that during the Fair, the seventh Investment Forum will be held, where an update of the Business Opportunities Portfolio in the Greater Antilles will be presented. In addition, the launch of the Cuba Foregin Trade magazine and a meeting with binational chambers will be held, among other activities.

As a platform to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations, Expocuba will host business meetings, business rounds, seminars, conferences and other activities in its 25 pavilions. To this end, the Palco Business Group is carrying out an extensive programme of constructive actions.

At the meeting with the press, the director of the facility, Mirelys Pintó Hernández, underlined that among the tasks undertaken, the capital investment in the theatre, the renovation of the multi-purpose hall and the refurbishment of the pizzeria restaurant located in the Central Pavilion stand out.

The roof, rain gutters and downpipes, the replacement of marquetry, glass and doors, as well as the installation of new lighting are also being repaired. At the same time, specialised brigades are maintaining the air conditioning system, its ducts and air conditioners, as well as extending some of the interior roadways.

On learning about these details of Fihav 2024, the Head of Government stressed that «it is a challenge, but also a privilege that we must know how to take advantage of» and called for «a different kind of fair», to work seriously, professionally and dedicate as much time as possible to prepare it well.

«Each institution must be clear that I aspire with this fair, that I intend to take advantage of it for my institution, I will work on concrete projects, everything that can be negotiated, finalised and agreed for the benefit of the country must be done,» said the Prime Minister.

He pointed out that the main challenge continues to be the permanent attention to the pavilions by the responsible entities at the end of the Fair. «We have to turn Expocuba into a home for each organisation, where activities, thematic exhibitions, conferences, important recreational, sporting and cultural events are organised.

This Thursday, also accompanied by Havana’s main political and governmental authorities, the Prime Minister led an analysis of the complex situation of the Lenin Park due to the marked deterioration of the equipment, recreational facilities and the abandonment of the green areas.

He indicated the design and implementation of an action programme to rescue this space devised by Fidel and executed by the heroine Celia Sánchez Manduley, which, with more than five decades of existence, is a symbol for family enjoyment in its more than 765 open hectares of nature and forest.

Expocuba is currently working on repairing the roof, rain gutters and downpipes. Photo: Estudios Revolución.

The pavilions of the fairgrounds are undergoing maintenance work, including the replacement of marquetry and doors, as well as the installation of new lighting. Photo: Revolution Studios.

Specialised brigades undertake the widening of some of the interior roadways. Photo: Studio