The Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment of Cuba,l Rodrigo Malmierca, highlighted here today the positive results in trade with Vietnam and the satisfactory development of the cooperation projects in prioritized sectors.
 
During the inauguration of the 33rd Session of the Intergovernment Commission Cuba-Vietnam, Malmierca also stressed the increasing interest of Vietnamese companies in analyzing the possibilities of investment in the island.
 
The collaboration and exchanges between enterprises and entities of both countries as proactive and systematic- he said, in particular in the áreas of computer science and communications, agricultura, aquiculture, customs, finances and culture, among others.
 
He underlined the actions carried out as part of the scientific-technical program in topics of interest as the environment, health and the biopharmaceutical industry.
 
A real example of cooperation between developing countries is Cuban support to Vietnam in the production in this territory of pharmaceuticals and vaccines, some of which are new and unique in their kind.
 
However, its commercialization is below its potentialities, he said.
 
In this regard, the Minister said there is the need to find a solution to non-tariff barriers that limit their access to the Vietnamese market, not only due to the advantages for export they entail but in order that the population in general and specifically this nation can have those world-recognized pharmaceuticals for their efficiency.
 
In that sense, he proposed the other part the creation of a Binational Committee and to strengthen cooperation among the regulating agencies for the mutual recognition of those medicines.
 
He indicated the present visit has special importance for the 55 years of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, sample of the strength of those links between our Parties, Governments and peoples, ratified all these years and in particular during the recent visit of President Truong Tan Sang to Cuba.
 
Malmierca extolled the links of brotherhood and solidarity that characterized those relations, described at the maximum level and in repeated occasions as special and strategic.
 
At the same time, he thanked the support Vietnam gives Cuba as to the supply of rice with a government credit in favorable conditions and another comercial one and collaboration in projects are of vital importance to guarantee food security of the Caribbean nation.
 
This session in particular takes place in a propitious environment for the increase of trade, investment and collaboration due to the policies adopted by the Cuban government for its promotion.
 
He putt he example of the approval of a new regulatory framework and the creation of the Special Development Zone of Mariel. There is also a new scenario in our relations with the United States, he said when affirming that despite the opening of both embassies there is still the economic, commercial and financial blockade against Cuba.
 
On that point, the island works seriously to reach a normal relation but what is never going to do is that we betray our principles or the friendship and brotherhood that unites us with countries like Vietnam.
 
On his part, the Vietnamese Minister for Construction and co-President of the Intergovernment Commission , Trinh Binh Dung, condemned the mentioned policy and advocated for its elimination.
 
He also referred to the advance of bilateral collaboration in different branches, among them, he also referred to bilateral collaboration in several areas, among them the agreements between banks, the one concerning the construction of a five-star hotel in Cuba and the opportunities to explore, produce and increase of prospection and drilling of petroleum and gas in the island.