At the plenary session Scaling new frontiers in the relations between India and LAC through improved trade facilitation, as part of the 9th India-LAC Conclave, the deputy minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment considered these ties, based on respect, mutual benefit and solidarity, a reference among those that should exist between an economic power and developing nations.
Rivas explained that Cuba has been faced for more than 60 years the economic, commercial and financial war waged by the United States, and added that the Donald Trump administration (2017-2021) intensified that policy by adopting 243 measures and including Cuba in the State Sponsors of Terrorism list, she said.
Such an illegal policy, maintained by the Joe Biden administration, adds difficulties to Cuba to insert itself in international trade and finance and has a marked deterrent interest in investment and business possibilities, she denounced.
Those factors are the main obstacle to the progress of the strategy to revive the Cuban economy in the short, medium and long terms, she added.
However, Cuba is constantly working to reposition its ties with the nations of the world, Rivas noted.
As a sign of Cuba’s commitment to the international trade facilitation agreement, Havana has implemented it in most of the disciplines and is moving forward in the establishment of the Single Window for Foreign Trade, according to the official.
She advocated the establishment of truly fair, equitable and non-discriminatory trade, which would reduce asymmetries and promote progress in the face of current challenges such as geopolitical tensions, rising food and energy prices, market volatility, inflation, unsustainable debt burdens and climate change.
Rivas described as essential the people’s nexus with firm, proper and articulated integration in the coordination of their development strategies, the objectives of sustainable development and the defense of sovereignty.
It is essential, therefore, to materialize alternatives and strategic alliances in the commercial sphere, identify existing tariff barriers and establish a permanent exchange between the trade facilitation committees of our countries, she said.
The Cuban deputy minister also described the Conclave as the ideal scenario to achieve fluid and comprehensive trade between the two regions.
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