Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel invited Iranian food producers to enter the country’s retail market during a visit to Iran’s national pavilion at the Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2025), signaling Havana’s interest in expanding commercial ties with Tehran.
During his tour of the Iranian pavilion, Díaz-Canel spoke with representatives of Iranian companies and reviewed details of their products, services and export capacities. He said the fair, along with accompanying business forums, could help deepen cooperation, expand economic relations and identify new opportunities for bilateral trade.
The Cuban president stressed that his government supports the expansion of economic exchanges and joint investments between the two countries. In discussions with Iranian footwear manufacturers, he also encouraged them to engage with Cuban companies to explore potential avenues for cooperation.
Samad Hassanzadeh, president of Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, accompanied Díaz-Canel during the visit. He praised Cuba’s role in supplying vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic and said the chamber is working to help Iranian private-sector exporters gain a clearer understanding of Cuba’s market to increase their presence there.
Hassanzadeh cited pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, tourism, overseas farming projects and the mining and industrial sectors as promising areas for expanding economic cooperation between Iran and Cuba.