Cuban Ambassador appreciative of Vietnamese economic achievements

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Orlando Nicolás Hernández Guillén made the statement in a recent media interview given on the occasion of the 63rd anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Cuba diplomatic relations, which were started on December 2, 1960, and the New Year 2024.

According to him, the country has obtained plenty of positive results in terms of economic expansion despite facing complex developments in terms of the world situation as a result of armed conflicts, financial crisis, and economic recession.

Thanks to the bravery, intelligence, steadfastness, and sound leadership shown by the Party and Government, the country recorded a range of outstanding economic growth in 2022, whilst it continued to be among the countries with fast growth rates in 2023, the diplomat assessed.

Concerning bilateral relations, he noted that that the Cuban side has pinned high hope on the development of mutual ties.

They therefore hope that the Vietnamese side becomes an increasingly important factor contributing to supporting the Caribbean country in carrying out its strategic goals of ensuring food security through the supply of rice, particularly as Vietnam is the main supplier of this very important grain for the Cuban people, the Ambassador emphasized.

He went on to say that co-operation between the two countries has been also strengthened through Vietnamese businesses’ commitments to co-operating with Cuban partners in expanding production of essential goods such as rice, meat, maize, and beans.

“Vietnam is the largest Asian investor of Cuba and we hope Vietnamese businesses will continue to increase investment activities in our country," Ambassador Hernández said.

During National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s official visit to Cuba in April, Vietnamese businesses came together to inaugurate a solar power plant, a washing powder factory, and an animal feed factory in the Caribbean nation, he said. He added that it continues to step up efforts in order to lure more and more Vietnamese investors to explore the market and expand their operations in Cuba.

He expressed hope that investment co-operation activities will bring about benefits to both sides, as well as their enterprises, along with Cuban products, particularly those related to biotechnology which may increase their presence in the Southeast Asian country. He shared that a delegation from BioCubaFarma, the Cuban organization of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries, recently visited Vietnam in order to seek co-operation opportunities, which will contribute to ameliorating Vietnamese people’s health.

Concerning collaboration at regional and international forums, the Cuban Ambassador underlined the need for the two countries to intensify ties at multilateral forums and international organizations, as well as promoting linkages in areas of mutual concern amid a complex and changing world situation with many interwoven challenges and opportunities.

In that context, Vietnam and Cuba must unite and make greater efforts to carry out all proposed plans, with the common goal of improving people's living conditions, Ambassador Hernández added.