Havana International Trade Fair Optimism in Cuba's Business Mecca

The 28th Havana International Trade Fair (FIHAV) closed its doors this year in an atmosphere of notable optimism, shared by the more than 2,000 exhibitors from 57 countries who gathered from November 1st to 6th in the halls and gardens of the ExpoCuba fairgrounds, located
20 km south of Cuba's capital.

Since its inception in 1982 when the fair was attended by only 88 impresarios from Cuba, Spain, and Panama, FIHAV has become a major industry event honoured by visits of governmental delegations and business people and celebrating the National Days of countries with official pavilions and cultural programs.

Considered Cuba's most important commercial meeting, the 2010 FIHAV opened with the good news that Cuba had reduced its commercial deficit by 7 percent in the first nine months of the year. According to the announcement by Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Rodrigo Malmierca, Cuba's exports increased 21 percent between January and September, compared to the previous year, while imports increased 1 percent in the same period.

"We advance in the right direction, opening a space for justified optimism," said Malmierca.