THE largest annual multi-sector trade fair in Cuba, the Havana International Fair (FIHAV), is inviting private sector businesses and companies in Guyana to participate, according to President of the Guyana-Cuba Solidarity Movement (GCSM) Haleem Khan.

Khan said the fair last year welcomed over 1,000 companies from 70 countries and 58 Canadian companies exhibited in the Canadian pavilion. The GCSM President said FIHAV is a multi-sector trade fair with raw materials, foodstuffs, textiles, consumer goods, machinery and equipment, technology and services as its main areas.

He explained that interested participants can use an official form which is the “Contract Request of Participation Form” and it can be e-mailed to pabexpo1@palco.cu or luisgutierrez@palco.cu or directly at Pabexpo. The deadline is September 15.
The conditions governing participation can be found on the website http://www.feriahavana.com. The fair will be held from October 30-November 03, 2017 in Havana, Cuba.

“Guyanese companies and businesses that participate can maintain visibility and regular contact with their network of customers. Participating at FIHAV re-affirms loyalty and continued interest in the Cuban market, thereby strengthening existing contacts and establishing new ones,” Khan noted.
Another benefit, he added, is that Cuba is a country with immense market potential, but competition is rising quickly.

“The absence of American competition from many sectors is not expected to last much longer and other countries from South America, Europe, and Asia are aggressively pursuing unique market opportunities. Participation at FIHAV allows organisations to get their foot in the door and start developing key relationships with Cuban buyers,” he said.

FIHAV is a well-established annual fair since 1983. It is the most important general trade fair in Cuba and the Caribbean as well as one of the most representative from Latin America. This year it will have a special meaning since it will be taking place during the period in which the Republic of Cuba holds the pro tempore presidency of the Community of States of Latin America and the Caribbean, a fact that will be recalled in several ways in its schedule of activities, conferences and seminars.