Russian companies are willing to invest in long-term projects in Cuba despite external pressure, said Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, co-chair of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission.
“Despite external pressure, Russian companies continue to expand their presence in Cuba and are willing to invest in long-term projects,” Chernyshenko stated during a business dialogue entitled “Russia-Cuba: Cooperation in Turbulent Conditions. Investment, Tourism, Technologies,” held within the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF 2026).
Among the promising areas of cooperation, the Russian Deputy Prime Minister mentioned the agro-industrial sector and technology. Specifically, he noted that “some 90 Russian companies are interested in exporting meat, dairy, and fish products to Cuba.”
He also emphasized that Russia can offer the Latin American country solutions in the areas of information technology, cybersecurity, telemedicine, and business automation.
“Russia will continue to strengthen our relationship. Our partnership is destined to become an example of a new architecture for international economic cooperation,” he stressed.
For his part, the Cuban Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, affirmed that Cuba is a country in the Latin American and Caribbean region “where Russian companies can fully and confidently develop their activities.”
In addition to investments, the Cuban official highlighted that both nations have experience in confronting sanctions imposed by Western countries, particularly the United States.
Pérez-Oliva stated that Cuba is open to doing business in various sectors, including energy generation, distribution, efficiency, and renewable energy sources.
“Investment opportunities have also been identified in a wide range of sectors outlined in the roadmap, particularly in energy, where we are open to business in generation, distribution, energy efficiency, and renewable energy sources,” the high-ranking official noted.
Regarding refineries, he indicated that they are also open to cooperation with Russian companies, with incentives such as direct sales of fuel to wholesale and retail markets and the elimination of wholesale fuel taxes.
Furthermore, the Cuban Deputy Prime Minister mentioned opportunities in the tourism, transportation, mining, health, biopharmaceutical, and infrastructure sectors, including airports, railways, and highways.
He also mentioned projects in the agricultural and agri-food industries, especially in wheat imports and processing.
He also explained that, despite the complex context, investing in Cuba is attractive for Russian companies now because many international competitors are unwilling to do so, which opens a window of opportunity for Russia.
The Spief is being held this year from June 3 to 6 in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, and is a major international platform that brings together business leaders and provides a forum for discussing key economic issues.
IMAGE CREDIT: Author: Prensa Latina | internet@granma.cu
[ SOURCE: GRANMA ]
