Díaz-Canel and To Lam arrived together at the Mariel Special Development Zone yesterday morning, during a visit in which they reviewed the important business links between both nations and the potential for their further development.
Ana Teresa Igarza Martínez, general director of the Mariel Special Development Zone, updated those present on the history, potentialities and opportunities of the important enclave, where five Vietnamese businesses are in operation, to which another two were added on that day.
Igarza Martinez explained that Vietnam is the main investor in Cuba from Asian countries, and the businesses that have been established here are developed -mainly- in the fields of light industry and food production.
In dialogue with the Vietnamese businessmen, the two presidents learned about their criteria and experiences on the work they do in Cuba, to which they granted a high value, for the opportunities that have been strengthened.
President Díaz-Canel reiterated to his Vietnamese counterpart the importance of his visit to the Caribbean island, while thanking the presence of his country's businessmen in the Mariel Special Development Zone, which shows the historic relations that unite both nations and opens new perspectives for cooperation.
He highlighted the high level of preparation that distinguishes them and the sensitivity they have shown for Cuba's problems.
What we are doing at this moment demonstrates, he said, that relations between countries, based on solidarity, are the ones that should last in the world, especially in the current context that humanity is going through.
In the same way that you have supported Cuba, he stressed, Vietnam will always be able to count on Cuba's support.
To Lam said that his country highly values Cuba's confidence in Vietnamese businessmen, and ratified Vietnam's willingness to support the largest of the Antilles to overcome difficulties.
I am very excited to be here, he said, and to be able to appreciate the development we have achieved together, he said.
We are pleased, he stressed, "to support Cuba in overcoming difficulties, and these first investors open ways to continue developing business".
The leaders visited areas of Suchel TBV S.A., a company dedicated to the production of detergents for domestic and industrial use, and talked with workers of ViMariel S.A., the first concessionaire of the Mariel Special Development Zone.
Cuba and Vietnam, whose diplomatic relations date back to December 2, 1960, are united by historic ties of brotherhood, solidarity and cooperation, forged by President Ho Chi Minh and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz.
They and their enduring legacy in fostering those ties were also remembered in a special way at different moments of To Lam's first working day on this, his first state visit to Cuba.
