The 4th edition of the International Fair of Food, Beverages, Packaging and Food Technology (Alimentos 2024), which starts today at the Pabexpo fairgrounds in Havana and will run until next Thursday, is the space to showcase the portfolios of exportable products for Cuban businessmen involved in the food activity.
Liliana Mengana Orozco, director of International Relations of the Ministry of Food Industry (Minal), said that on this occasion more than 100 companies will participate, including nearly 60 foreign companies from 20 countries, among them Mexico, Spain, Namibia, Chile, Brazil and Venezuela.
In recent statements to Cubadebate, Javier Francisco Aguilar Rodríguez, First Deputy Minister of the sector, said that, with the equipment, the capacities that today have the companies that participate in the food industry "we could supply the Cuban market in 60% or 70% of the needs of the people". However, due to the international economic situation and the one Cuba is going through today, it has not been possible to acquire raw materials.
Alberto Lopez Diaz, head of Minal, stressed the need to hold this fair to show the sector's exportable portfolio, as well as the potential to achieve projects with foreign investment to revitalize the idle capacities of the industry and translate into more offers of goods and services.
In view of the lack of financing, boosting foreign currency income is essential to be able to replenish the industry, in addition to productive linkages with all forms of management operating in the country, including non-state companies, which for the first time are represented at this event.
The fair's program includes lectures on Minal's portfolio of opportunities, the creation of clusters (mini-chambers of commerce), among others, as well as the reflection of the role of science and women in the food sector.
