CUBA AMBASSADOR NUNEZ VISITED ATO PRESIDENT BARAN.

ATO PRESIDENT BARAN: "LET'S RISE TURKEY-CUBA TRADE TO THE LEVEL OF 100 MILLION DOLLARS"

8 October 2021 - Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Chairman of the Board Gürsel Baran stated that the trade volume between Turkey and Cuba is far from reflecting the relations between the countries, and said, "We can increase the amount of trade between our countries above the level of 100 million dollars by cooperating in the fields of agriculture, industry and tourism."

Cuban Ambassador Luis Alberto Amaros Nunez, together with his wife Ileana Nunez Mordoche, who is also the Commercial Attaché of the Embassy, visited ATO President Gürsel Baran in his office. Cuban Ambassador Nunez suggested a meeting with Ankara Chamber of Commerce to bring business people together in a virtual environment in order to develop commercial relations with Turkey. The Ambassador also stated that the 2nd Cuban Business Forum will be held between 29 November and 3 December and invited the ATO members to the forum.

When he came to Turkey as the Ambassador, Nunez, explained that he presented his letter of credence to the President in 2017 and that President Recep Tayyip Erdoðan expressed a trade target of 100 million dollars to him, Ambassador Nunez said, "Our trade with Turkey was 30 million dollars in 2017, it increased to 80 million dollars in 2019." This is an indication that the goal expressed by President Erdogan can be achieved." he said.

Noting that there are Cuban companies that want to cooperate in the fields of mechanics, agri-food products, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, products used in electrical energy production and packaging in Turkey, Ambassador Nunez said, "Unfortunately, our biggest problem is money transfer. Banks that did not make transfers in the past have now started to do so. For this reason, we transfer money through third countries and no businessman wants this. Negotiations are being held with the relevant ministries and Eximbank for the solution of the problem.

COOPERATION PROPOSAL IN CANCER DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Ambassador Nunez, who offers documents and brochures on Cuba's most exported products, said that they want to introduce these products to the Turkish market as well. Noting that methods for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and the treatment of diabetes have been developed in Cuba, the Ambassador expressed their desire to work with companies interested in bio-pharmacy. Noting that projects are being carried out to improve exports in the Mariel Special Development Zone in Cuba, the Ambassador invited Turkish investors to the region where investments in food and renewable energy are also carried out.

DIRECT FLIGHT REQUEST TO ANKARA

Drawing attention to the importance of direct transportation in the efforts to develop commercial relations, Ambassador Nunez expressed her demand for a direct flight from Cuba to Ankara.

COOPERATION IN TOURISM, INDUSTRY AND AGRICULTURE

In his speech, ATO President Baran reminded that the relations between the two countries gained momentum after President Erdogan's visit to Havana in 2015, and said that cooperation with Cuba could be made in the fields of tourism, industry and agriculture. Baran said, "Let's increase our trade with Cuba to the level of 100 million dollars by starting cooperation in the fields of tourism, industry and agriculture."

Noting that Cuba is one of the most important producers of the world in Nickel production, Baran stated that the inadequacies in the industrial facility, bureaucratic obstacles and problems in money transfer have a deterrent effect on investments.

Baran, who accepted the meeting proposal that will bring Cuban business people and ATO members together in a virtual environment as ATO, informed that the 2nd Cuban Business Forum will also be announced to ATO members.

During the Cuban Ambassador's visit to Baran, ATO Vice President Temel Aktay, Members of the Board of Directors Ülkü Karakuþ and Fatih Çetinkaya were also present.