WORDS ON THE STREET 70th anniversary of Hanoi's Liberation Day Vietnam - Asia 2023 Smart City Summit Hanoi celebrates 15 years of administrative boundary adjustment 12th Vietnam-France decentrialized cooperation conference 31st Sea Games - Vietnam 2021 Covid-19 Pandemic
Home / Investment / News
Vietnam businesses updated on Cuban economic and foreign trade situation
Thu Minh 11:58, 2016/06/30
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Cuban Embassy in Hanoi co-chaired a Vietnam-Cuba business meeting in Hanoi on June 29.
The conference aimed to creat a chance to update Vietnamese businesses on the economic and foreign trade situation of Cuba in its renovation period and to seek new partnerships. 
VCCI Vice Director Doan Duy Khuong said that Vietnam and Cuba are enjoying growing traditional trade ties, with many economic and trade deals, including the agreement on trade exchange and other economic cooperation in 1996; the agreement on investment encouragement and protection in 1995; the deal on tourism cooperation in 1999; the agreement on cooperation in quarantine and plant protection in 1999; the agreement on avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion for income taxes in 2002. 

 
At the meeting.
At the meeting.
However, the result has yet to match their economic potential, he said, noting that last year, two-way trade reached only 235 million USD. 
Vietnam exported foodstuffs, footwear, ceramics, construction material, coal, apparel and chemicals, while importing a number of new medicines and functional foods from the Caribbean country. 
According to the statistics of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, as of December last year, Cuba conducted one project in Vietnam with a total registered investment of 66 million USD, ranking 75th among 100 countries and territories investing in the country.
Meanwhile, a number of Vietnamese businesses have implemented large projects in Cuba, including PetroVietnam Exploration Production Company under the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group, Viglacera Group and Hanel.
Speaking at the event, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Herminio Lopez Diaz said that Gecomex and its 21 subsidiaries’ attending in the meeting aims to seek partnerships with suppliers of foods, consumer goods, chemicals, fertilizer, steel, paper, plastics, paint, industrial and agricultural machineries and automobile tires. 
Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Herminio Lopez Diaz.
Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Herminio Lopez Diaz.
The ambassador vowed that the Cuban Government always backs Vietnamese businesses for the development and prosperity of Cuba as well as long-term and stable economic and trade ties between the two nations. 
At the meeting, Vietnamese companies had direct exchange with Gecomex Group, the largest Cuban import-export enterprise holding 35% of the country’s total imports and 15 percent of its exports. 
General Director of Gicomex Aurelio Mollineda said that the Cuban foreign trade group reached an average yearly revenue of over 4 billion USD, mainly from importing and exporting goods and services, headhunting, consultation and auditing services, goods checking and logistics. 
Gecomex now is exporting agricultural products including sugar, coffee, honey, fuel and cocoa; while importing foodstuffs, building materials, consumer goods, pesticides, fertilizer, industrial machines, according to Aurelio Mollineda. 
Other news
12:17, 2025/02/25
Vietnam eyes top 3 in investment environment in ASEAN next 2 years: Party Chief
A key objective is to trim off at least 30% of administrative procedures and cut both business costs and unofficial fees.
18:03, 2025/02/22
Vietnam attracts South Korean tech investment at SEMICON Korea 2025
The event provided a platform for Vietnam to showcase its semiconductor potential and reaffirm its commitment to developing high-tech industries and strengthening international cooperation.
16:46, 2025/02/20
Swedish group plans US$1 billion investment in Binh Dinh recycling plant
By creating a large number of jobs and promoting a green economy, the initiative is important in establishing Vietnam as a global hub for the circular textile sector.
10:52, 2025/02/13
Samsung plans to invest in AI, semiconductors in Vietnam
Vietnam will continue improving its investment environment and driving strategic breakthroughs in order to usher in a new era of economic development.
17:20, 2025/02/07
Vietnam's data center construction costs among the lowest in Asia Pacific
The country has a lot of potential to become one of the most important data markets in the region.
21:05, 2025/02/03
Bright prospects for FDI inflows into Vietnam in 2025
Market size, growth potential, low labor costs, and stable political and social conditions continue to be Vietnam’s selling points in attracting foreign investors.