Consul General of Cuba in Shanghai Néstor Enrique Torres Olivera

Editor's Note: 

The Fourth China International Import Expo (CIIE) will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10 as scheduled. Despite the difficulties brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, global traders plan to gather at the annual event online and offline to showcase their products and services in fields such as healthcare, artificial intelligence (AI) and carbon neutrality, looking to boost their performance in the Chinese market.

The Global Times (GT) interviewed 15 foreign diplomats in Beijing and Shanghai about their engagement and expectations for this year's CIIE. Here is：

Néstor Enrique Torres Olivera
Consul General of Cuba in Shanghai

GT: How does Cuba plan to engage in the CIIE despite facing challenges from COVID-19?

Néstor Enrique Torres Olivera: The CIIE is a very important initiative for the world. Cuba has participated in this trade event every year since China held its first CIIE in 2018. The President of Cuba Miguel Díaz Canel Bermudez attended the first edition, which proves the importance that Cuba places on this event.

Due to travel restrictions for the pandemic, this year Cuba is taking part in the online country exhibition.

GT: What are your expectations for the upcoming CIIE?

Néstor Enrique Torres Olivera: The CIIE is an important showcase for Cuban exporters to show what they have to offer to the Chinese market. We are confident that with our participation, Cuba-Chinese trade relations will expand further. 

Cuba plans to organize a virtual pavilion, which will feature Cuba's leading industries in culture and tourism, along with Cuban products such as fishery products, coffee, cigars, rum of different brands, high-tech drugs and technological equipment and services, designed for improving human health and food production.

It will be also an opportunity to show the advances of Cuba in the biotechnological field. The most recent example is the way Cuba has faced the pandemic, developing its own vaccines, as a result of its strong system of science and technological innovation, an advanced and efficient biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, as well as a universal, free and quality health system, with highly specialized human resources. 

The event is also an excellent opportunity for the promotion of foreign investment in the country, which is progressing in the economy, despite the limitations imposed by the US blockade. 

Cuba's advantages for foreign investors are high indicators in terms of education, social security and health of the population and a safe and transparent legal framework.