Dr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa, general director of the OPEC Fund for International Development, completed a full day’s agenda in Cuba, including the signing of the 15th cooperation agreement between Cuba and the organization, to support a storm sewer and drainage project in western Havana, and a meeting with Ricardo Cabrisas, a Council of Ministers vice president.
Signing the document for Cuba was Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, president of the National Institute of Water Resources, who reported that the OPEC Fund will also collaborate on sanitation and supply projects in Las Tunas, Trinidad, Bayamo, Guantánamo, and Palma Soriano.
In accordance with the priority afforded to such a sensitive sector by the Cuban government, and as part of the country’s extensive water program, over the last two decades, the Fund has financed several projects and, according to Cubaminrex, the agriculture and energy sectors have benefitted from financial support of 278.5 million dollars.
CUBA INTERESTED IN CONTINUING WORK WITH OPEC FUND
During the meeting between Cabrisas and Alkhalifa, both parties highlighted the long-standing relationships and the Fund’s support of different economic development programs and policies in the country, projected through 2030, such as the Water Loss Elimination Program, efforts to rework energy generation and promote the use of renewable resources, among others. The two expressed satisfaction with the signing of a loan agreement to finance a sanitation and drainage project in the municipalities of La Lisa and Playa, an OPEC Fund contribution to works underway in honor of the 500th anniversary of the Cuban capital.
Cabrisas reiterated Cuba's interest in continuing to work with the OPEC Fund on national projects and possible proposals for the development of triangular cooperation with countries in the Caribbean region, mainly on issues related to water management, taking advantage of the country's experience in this arena.
