(KPL/Prensa Latina) The Secretary General of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, Omar de Jesús Fernández, highlighted here today the investment potentialities that Mariel Special Development Zone (ZED) offers in the west of the island.

Speaking to the Trade Promotion Organizations section held within the 17th China-Latin America and the Caribbean (China-LAC) Business Summit in Nicaragua, Fernández said that zone is growing continuously.

After joining colleagues at the Olof Palme Convention Center in this capital, the Cuban official pointed out that the ZED Mariel, a first-class production and logistics platform ready to accommodate new companies, is hoping for massive influx of regional companies.

He then referred to agreements Cuba has signed providing tariffs incentives.

After his presentation, Fernández spoke with Prensa Latina, describing the China-LAC Summit as an important space for Cuba, bearing in mind the country’ s characteristics, such as the fact of living under the United States government’s blockade for more than six decades.

“It is important to also publicize our portfolio of investment opportunities, in fact, we brought a QR code so that all those wanting access it can do so through this platform,” he commented.

Likewise, he assessed China’s ties with Latin American and the Caribbean, adding it is a process that can no longer be halted.

On the contrary, he noted, it will advance further for everything that comes with it, which is respect for the national interests of each country and the opportunity to create business communities to be more connected and develop common projects under the win-win initiative, said Fernández.

The 17th China-LAC Business Summit, which closes today, has brought together some 250 representatives of Chinese institutions and companies and more than 70 delegates from Latin America and the Caribbean.

For two days, delegates addressed such topics as international trade trends, challenges and opportunities for the China-LAC strategic relationship.

They also discussed building a solid foundation for medical collaboration between China and Latin American and Caribbean countries, as well as foreign direct investment and trade growth.

KPL