UNIDO ITPO Tokyo, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Japan, held the “Cuba Business and Investment Seminar” on the occasion of inviting Ms. Lizbet DIAZ GARCIA, the Director for Business with Foreign Capital, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment of Cuba (MINCEX).  The seminar was held on Tuesday 4 June 2024 at United Nations University in Tokyo, with the attendance of 81 participants interested in business or investment opportunities in Cuba.

At the beginning of the seminar, Ms. Fumio Adachi, head of UNIDO ITPO Tokyo and H.E. Ms. Gisela Beatriz GARCÍA Rivera Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Japan, delivered opening remarks and called for investment and expansion of business into Cuba.  In discussing future possibilities, coffee, cocoa, honey, coal, organic sugar, fruits, elver, lobster were introduced as products with potential in the Japanese market.

In her keynote speech, Ms. Lizbet DIAZ GARCIA, Director for Business with Foreign Capital, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (MINCEX), gave a presentation about investment and business opportunities in Cuba.  With currently more than 300 companies from over 40 countries investing in Cuba, the latest foreign investment policies and incentives in Cuba were introduced.

Following Ms. Garcia’s presentation, Mr. Toyonari Yamagishi, Executive Director of Japan-Cuba Economic Conference (JCEC) introduced JCEC’s activities in Cuba and overall business between Japan and Cuba.  Celebrating their 50 year anniversary of establishment this year, Mr. Yamagishi stated that “Recently, positive developments are being seen, and we have high expectations for the next decade in Cuba.”

Finally, Mr. Shintaro Akiyama, Director of Central America and the Caribbean Division, Latin America and the Caribbean Department of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), spoke about the current political situation in Cuba, this year marking the 95th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Cuba.  His presentation also covered diplomatic relations, economic and social situations, and JICA’s assistance and ongoing programs in Cuba.

In the Q&A session, questions were raised about future expectations from Japanese companies and the possibilities for  foreign investment and capital participation in Cuba.

Upon the successful conclusion of the seminar, the panelists and participants engaged in lively exchanges in the networking session, to discuss potential business and investment opportunities and expand networks between the two countries, while enjoying Cuban coffee and rum.

Seminar Outline

Date:               Tuesday, 4 June 2024
Time:               14:00-16:00 (Seminar) / 16:00-17:00 (Networking) 
Venue:             Annex Hall, United Nations University  (5-53-70 Jingūmae, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan)
Organizers:      UNIDO ITPO Tokyo
                       Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Japan
Co-organizers:  Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (MINCEX)
Supporters:      Japan-Cuba Economic Conference (JCEC)
                       Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) 
                       Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) 
Language:        English– Japanese (Simultaneous interpretation)

Programme

13:30              Registration

14:00-             Welcome Remarks
                       Ms. Fumio ADACHI
                       Head, UNIDO ITPO Tokyo

14:05              Opening Remarks
                       H.E. Ms. Gisela Beatriz GARCÍA Rivera
                       Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Cuba to Japan

14:15              Video: Cuba Investment Promotion Video

14:20              Keynote Presentation: Investment and Business Opportunities in Cuba
                       Ms. Lizbet DIAZ GARCIA
                       Director for Business with Foreign Capital, Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (MINCEX)　

14:50              Presentation: Business between Japan and Cuba
                       Mr. Toyonari YAMAGISHI
                       Executive Director, Japan-Cuba Economic Conference (JCEC)

15:10              Presentation: JICA’s Cooperation to the New Economic Model in Cuba through ODA            
                       Mr. Shintaro AKIYAMA
                       Director of Central America and the Caribbean Division, Latin America & the Caribbean Department, JICA

15:30              Q&A

15:55              Closing 

16:00              Networking Session
                       Cuban coffee and rum were provided by the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba

<Related Documents>
Cuba Investment Portfolio

Inquiries

Ms. Fukuyama / Ms. Hosokawa, UNIDO Tokyo Office
Email: [email protected]