Trieste, 26 April 2017 - The round table “Focus Cuba” was held on April 26, 2017, in Trieste, in the framework of the project "SMEs 4 Business Development China & Cuba" aimed to promote the opening of Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region's companies to two strategic markets, CHINA and CUBA.

The event, organized by UNIDO ITPO Italy in collaboration with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region and the Embassy of Cuba in Italy, was launched by a bilateral meeting in the Region premises between the President Debora Serracchiani and the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba in Italy H.E. Alba Beatriz Soto Pimentel. The meeting was also attended by the Head of UNIDO ITPO Italy Ms. Diana Battaggia.

The President Serracchiani noted that in the same path of the existing ties with Cuba, there are all the conditions to increase the relationship between the region and this Latin America Country. In fact, Friuli Venezia Giulia is historically related to the country for the widespread presence of the emigrant network and the international attitude of the port of Trieste. These relations - as agreed by the President and the Ambassador – should be appropriately structured and organized. In this regard, an in-depth meeting was arranged at the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce of Venezia Giulia, chaired by the President of the Chamber, Antonio Paoletti, who manifested the willingness to organize further studies aimed to provide the companies with more information on Investment opportunities, created by the new regulations which came into force in Cuba, and on the governmental guidelines to ensure stability for the country.

The Chairman of the Port System Authority of the Eastern Adriatic Sea, Zeno D'Agostino, recalled the importance of innovation, a fundamental element, because the competitiveness of a port is characterized  not only by its ability to be a pivotal point for the maritime traffics but also for the sectorial expertise and the know-how that can be shared with the Cuban Port of Mariel. In addition, other sectors have also been mentioned: buildings, food and wine products, furnishing - design, innovation, research and development. Following that, H.E. Soto Pimentel wished the participation of FVG companies at the Havana Fair, which will take place in the first week of November, to ensure them a direct contact with the opportunities in the Caribbean island.

The project is aimed at supporting promotional activities in the two reference markets in five priority sectors: construction and building technologies, logistic maritime & supply chain, food and wine products, Furnishing & Design, innovation, research and know-how transfer. The objective is to encourage the creation of partnerships between SMEs, regional clusters and Cuban companies to strengthen bilateral cooperation and promote the transfer of innovative technologies in order to strengthen trade cooperation and investments.