“What has astonished me the most is the Comandante’s innovative idea of integrating, in one area, product research; development; implementation and commercialization,” stated Issoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger, during his tour of the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center (CIGB).

Mahamadou, who praised the results achieved by the Center in various fields, and noted its importance to the healthcare sector and the development of pharmaceutical products, expressed his desire to collaborate with Cuba and identified various areas of interest.

The President of Niger commented that his visits to the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology and the CIGB have given him the opportunity to learn about the latest Cuban research on diabetes, cancer, malaria and other medical issues. “This is evidence that there are various possible cooperation links between Cuba and Niger,” he stated.

Luis Herrera Martínez, director-general of the CIGB, detailed Cuba’s most important achievements in the field of biotechnology which have received international recognition; its global reach; the development strategies implemented by the government in the biotechnology sector, with a focus on research and professional training, among other areas.

Herrera also addressed the important work being done by the Biotechnological and Pharmaceutical Industries Group (Bio­cu­bafarma), consisting of 38 scientific institutions and 22,000 qualified personnel; commenting that the entity produces medicines, therapeutic and preventative vaccines and biomedicine, with the use of modern medical equipment.