Cooperation to increase aquaculture production in Cuba

Within the framework of the official visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to Cuba, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Tran Thanh Nam visited and had a working session with the Ministry of Food Industry of Cuba on April 19.

Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam received a warm welcome from First Deputy Minister Lázara Mercedes López Acea and other representatives from the Ministry of Food Industry (MINAL) and the Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX) of Cuba.

At the bilateral meeting, the leaders of the two ministries emphasized the good tradition and relationship between Vietnam and Cuba specifically cooperation in the fisheries sector as this is an area in which Vietnam has a lot of experience, with an excellent force of experts and technicians. The leaders of the two ministries also presided over the launching ceremony of a project to increase aquaculture production in Cuba.

According to the MARD Deputy Minster, the success of the Aquaculture Development Support Project in Cuba Phase 1 and 2 has significantly improved the aquaculture capacity of Cuba. On that basis, in order to increase aquaculture production and ensure food security in Cuba, the two Governments have shown great interest in Phase 3 of the project and approved its implementation. The project’s ultimate goal is to provide assistance in terms of increasing resources and building farming models of Cuba's key aquatic species, aiming to strengthen export potential.

The project includes training human resources; supporting equipment and materials for research and production of tilapia, whiteleg shrimp and lobster; building farming models to increase the production of tilapia, whiteleg shrimp and lobster in a number of provinces, helping Cuba gradually become self-sufficient in domestic consumption, contributing to food security.

To ensure that the project can be implemented on schedule and achieve the set goals, Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam requested MINAL to assist in terms of administrative procedures and funding from the Cuban side, as stated in the project document that both parties agreed on, also guiding Vietnamese experts and technicians on Cuban regulations for foreigners in order to ensure their legitimate rights and interests.

Regarding the Vietnamese side, the involved parties will be responsible for the project implementation according to the approved project documents and the laws of the two countries, closely coordinate with the Cuban partners in related procedures, and promptly report to competent authorities if any problems or difficulties arise.

In response to Deputy Minister Tran Thanh Nam, First Deputy Minister Lázara Mercedes López Acea emphasized the deep and close traditional relationship between the two countries, reflected in more than 60 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. “The development of a new phase of the Aquaculture Development Support Project in Cuba is a great example of the friendship and cooperation between the two countries’ people and governments.”

The leader of the Ministry of Food Industry expressed gratitude towards Vietnam and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in particular for the support Cuba has received in terms of aquaculture technical expertise.

At the invitation of the President of the National Assembly of People's Power of the Republic of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez, the President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Argentine Republic Cecilia Moreau, the President of the Senate of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay Beatriz Argimon Cedeira, on the morning of April 18, the Politburo member and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, on behalf of Party and State leaders, led a high-ranking delegation of the National Assembly of Vietnam to pay official visits to the three countries from April 18 to April 28, 2023.

This is the highest-level visit of the leaders of the Party and the State of Vietnam to Latin America in 2023 to implement the foreign policy of the 13th Party Congress, which is to proactively consolidate and expand the foundation of political relations, promote effective cooperation relations between Vietnam and key partners in Latin America in all fields.