Cuba Proposes Comprehensive Economic Partnership with India Across Strategic Sectors
Cuba has expressed strong interest in significantly deepening its economic engagement with India across multiple high-potential sectors, according to Cuban Ambassador to India Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera. The envoy made these remarks during a special session on India-Cuba bilateral trade and economic cooperation organized by the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Kolkata on Saturday.
Biotechnology and Healthcare Leadership
Aguilera emphasized that Cuba stands as a pioneer in biotechnology and pharmaceutical development, with its biopharma products currently being exported to forty-five countries worldwide. This established expertise presents substantial opportunities for collaborative ventures and knowledge exchange between Indian and Cuban healthcare institutions and research facilities.
Renewable Energy Transition
The Cuban ambassador highlighted his country's ongoing transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, creating significant avenues for cooperation in clean energy solutions. This strategic shift opens doors for Indian companies specializing in solar, wind, and other sustainable energy technologies to participate in Cuba's green energy transformation.
Tourism Infrastructure and Investment Incentives
Detailing Cuba's tourism potential, Aguilera noted that the country boasts ten international airports, three cruise terminals, and ten international marinas, presenting numerous opportunities for collaboration in tourism development and allied infrastructure projects. To facilitate business engagement, Cuba offers companies the use of land for commercial purposes and has implemented an electronic visa facility to streamline travel and investment processes.
Cultural Exchange and People-to-People Connections
Beyond economic cooperation, Aguilera expressed Cuba's interest in participating in the International Kolkata Book Fair next year, underscoring the importance of cultural exchanges alongside commercial ties. Speaking at the same session, Professor Maiky Diaz Perez, First Secretary at the Embassy of Cuba in India, emphasized that enhanced collaboration between the two nations could significantly strengthen people-to-people connections.
Strategic Focus Areas
Professor Perez stressed the necessity of identifying specific, actionable areas of cooperation to deliver tangible outcomes from the bilateral relationship. The comprehensive approach outlined by Cuban officials encompasses not only traditional sectors like agro-industry and information technology but also emerging areas including sports collaboration and healthcare innovation.
This multi-sectoral engagement strategy reflects Cuba's commitment to building a diversified and sustainable economic partnership with India, leveraging complementary strengths across industries while fostering deeper cultural understanding between the two nations.
