Gomel Oblast, Cuba discuss cooperation prospects

Cooperation prospects in healthcare and mechanical engineering between Gomel Oblast and Cuba have been discussed at the meeting of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cuba to Belarus Santiago Perez Benitez with Gomel Oblast Deputy Governor Andrei Konyushko, BelTA informs.

According to the diplomat, people in Cuba know about Gomel and they think highly of Belarus' achievements in the agricultural sector, both in production of farm products and in mechanical engineering. He noted that Cuba has been developing its own vaccines for more than 30 years. Now the development of COVID-19 vaccines is particularly relevant. The ambassador told the attendees about a unique Cuban vaccine developed for children from 2 years old. The parties pointed to a mutual interest in academic contacts and outlined areas of common interest in medicine and pharmacology. They also discussed the resumption of mutual tourist visits that were put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Andrei Konyushko emphasized that Cuba remains one of important partners for Belarus in the international arena. The parties believe that it is necessary to explore cooperation opportunities in economy, humanitarian field, science and technology, and to increase bilateral trade. At the beginning of the summer a delegation from the Republic of Cuba visited Gomselmash to discuss the possibility to supply Gomel-made agricultural machinery to Cuba.

Another promising avenue of cooperation is the supply of dairy products. Dairy companies from Gomel Oblast ship their products to many countries worldwide and are ready to consider entering the Cuban market.

The Cuban diplomat plans to visit Gomel State University, the Palace of the Rumyantsevs and the Paskeviches, Milkavita, Institute Gomelagropromproekt.