Trieste, October 4th – In the framework of the project “Promotion of investment and cooperation opportunities on maritime and smart health sectors”, implemented in collaboration with the  Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG) region, from September 30th to October 4th UNIDO ITPO Italy organized a study-tour mission in the FVG region for two Cuban delegates.

The representatives were Ms. Viviana Garcia Fonseca, Deputy Director of the Division of Foreign Investments of the  Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investments (MINCEX) and Mr. Miguel Masso Iglesias, Director of Development of the business group MARLIN Náutica y Marinas.

The mission has been organized to promote towards selected Italian companies and potential investors the investment opportunities in the Cuban maritime sector and to support the capacity of MARLIN Náutica y Marinas. Indeed, during their mission the delegates had the opportunity to get acquainted with innovative and cutting edge technologies and learn from best practices applied by the stakeholders they have met.

Thanks to the support of UNIDO ITPO Italy and the FVG region, the Cuban delegation had the opportunity to participate in a series of company visits (e.g. the Italian company Sultan) and dedicated meetings with relevant stakeholders both from regional institutions and the private sector. Among others, it is worth mentioning the visit of the Port of Monfalcone and the meeting with the Regional Minister in charge of Productive Activities and Tourism, Mr. Sergio Emidio Bini, which has been organized to discuss about the investment opportunities that have been scouted in the Cuban maritime sector and to present the series of activities implemented in the framework of the project supported by the FVG region to benefit SMEs from Cuba and regional stakeholders.

Moreover, UNIDO ITPO Italy supported the participation of the Cuban delegation to the international exhibition SYAT 2019 – Ship & Yacht Advanced Technology – held on 3 and 4 October in Grado, which is the innovative ship&yacht advanced technology showcase of innovative maritime technologies with application on vessels and infrastructures. Within the exhibition, UNIDO ITPO Italy organized a dedicated workshop to present the legal framework for foreign investors and a selected portfolio of investment opportunities in the Cuban maritime sector.

In addition the delegates had the opportunity to perform 10 BtoB through the dedicated BtoB sessions scheduled in the agenda of the event. Among others we can mention the meetings that took place between the Cuban delegates and companies such as Naval Progetti Srl, Meg Industry Srl, Meccano Engineering Srl, Gressani Srl and La Fornitrice Srl.

Both business and institutional representatives showed great interest and support for the initiative organized and carried out by UNIDO ITPO Italy, which achieved the objective to promote towards Italian companies and potential investors the numerous available investment opportunities in the Cuban maritime sector.