12 Cuban Enterprises Attending Guatemalan International Fair

Guatemala inaugurated the 17th International Fair (INTERFER 2003), Tuesday, providing space for commercial exchange among 20 participating countries, including Cuba, which is taking part with 12 enterprises from different sectors.

"Allowing a Meeting of Continents, INTERFER 2003 aims to facilitate exhibition and business in technology, tourism, services and trade through October 26 at the metropolitan Industry Park.

The fair main activity will be the negotiation round that welcomes business people, promoters, intermediaries, and exhibitors hoping to reach understandings in a professional climate.

The Cuban presence is promoting exportable products from each of the 12 enterprises attending the exhibition, as well as strengthening trade with Guatemala, Cuban Chamber of Commerce general secretary, Frank Abel Portela said.

Our attendance at the fair focuses on increasing commercial ties with Central America and the Caribbean, as well as the Guatemalan Chamber of Commerce and other institutions, Portela stated.

One of the Cuban firms, VICLAR, representing seven local industry fields, is promoting the textile and shoe industries, building materials, metal smelting, and chemical products, Felipe Ricardo Gonzalez, its general director, explained.

The ALTAMIRA firm presents an extensive handicraft exhibit, while CEPEC (Center for the Promotion of Cuban Exports) seeks markets for produce.

Cuba"s INPUD -specialized in production of electrical appliances, pressure cookers, coffee makers, gas cookers, and CARACEL and LABET -of the iron and steel industry- are also among Cuba"s representation to the exhibition.

According to Midiala Gonzalez, LABET public relations chief, the firm is making natural and accelerated climatic trials, along with quality certification. Meanwhile, CARACEL is producing all metallurgical accessories for the building material industry.

The exhibition of Cuban articles also includes complete logistics for agriculture and crop systems, certified by the GELMA firm, as well as medicines, biotechnological products, and radiation therapy products .provided by Biocen and Heber-Biotec, leaders of Cuban scientific technology.

The Cuban-Guatemalan general trade exchange reaches over $15 million a year, although it totaled $18 million in 2001, according to official sources.