A programme called“Vietnamese Day” has been held in the framework of the 31 st HavanaInternational Fair (FIHAV 2013), which is underway in Havana, Cuba. Speaking at the opening of the event, taking place fromNovember 3-9, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Duong Minhhighlighted the special traditional friendship between Vietnam andCuba , while calling on the two sides’ businesses to furthercooperation to lift economic and trade ties between the two countries toan equal level with their political relations. DeputyDirector of the Trade Promotion Department under the Ministry ofIndustry and Trade Ta Hoang Linh said the fair serves as a bridge tolink Vietnamese and Cuban enterprises, providing them with anopportunity to share experience and discuss measures to promotelong-term cooperation in the future. He also expressed hishope that Cuban authorities will create favourable conditions for thetwo countries’ businesses to successfully implement cooperationprogrammes in trade and investment in Cuba in the time to come. For his part, Cuba ’s First Deputy Minister for Foreign Trade andInvestment Antonio Carricarte said the fair offers a chance for bothsides’ businesses to study and exchange new goods. He also gave details about the Special Development Zone of Mariel inthe country, stressing that his country will facilitate Vietnamesefirms’ investment in the zone in the coming time. Carricarte and Cuban officials visited Vietnam ’s booths at thefair, where electronic products, construction materials, processed food,consumer and fashion products were on display. The largest annual event of its kind in Cuba, FIHAV 2013 attractedthe participation of 1,400 businesses from 64 nations, including 24 fromVietnam. -VNA