Last year, we said the FIHAV would be bigger and better than ever. This year, we can only predict it will be more grand than last. The Feria Internacional de La Habana (FIHAV) 2017 dates have been announced. FIHAV 2017 will take place from October 30th to November 3th at the ExpoCuba grounds in the Arroyo Naranjo district on the outskirts of Havana.
The FIHAV is organized by the Ministerio del Comercio Exterior y la Inversión Extranjera, Cámara de Comercio de la República de Cuba, PALCO, and ProCuba.
The ExpoCuba grounds cover some 21,700 square meters of exhibition space for countries and companies interested in doing business with Cuba. Major exhibitors at last year’s FIHAV 2016 included Cuban national corporations (365 of them), Spain (with four pavilions), China (huge presence) and Canada (huge presence). Also occupying pavilions at the trade fair were Italy, South Africa, Venezuela, Portugal, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Thailand, Japan, Bulgaria, Curacao and Russia. American companies and organizations we saw last year: USA Poultry & Egg Export Council, USA Rice, JetBlue and U.S. Cava Exports. There may have been others.
For businesses seeking to enter the Latin American-Caribbean market, this is one of the key entry points to that market. It is probably the most exciting trade and commerce event to take place each year in Havana. It is the largest multi-sector trade fair in the Latin American region. The FIHAV has grown in size since its inception 35 years ago.
Last year’s exhibitions displayed a wide range of products/commodities and technologies including automotive parts, food products (seeds), agriculture, home appliances, furniture, forest and wood products, technology, automobiles, tractors, construction materials, oil and gas technology, pharmaceutical, health care technology, infrastructure, life sciences, mining, ocean technologies, professional services, sustainable technologies, aerospace technology, tourism, transportation, wines and liquors.
Large multinational corporations are in the running to find and develop new markets and investments with Cuba. Over 1,000 companies from 70 countries participated in the FIHAV 2016.
Representatives from ProCuba (office for the promotion of foreign trade and investment), as well as the ZED port of Mariel project had a prime presence at the Trade Fair.
Cuba’s national corporations also exhibit the FIHAV. CUPET, the national oil company, major biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies such as PharmaCuba, BioCuba Pharma, and Heber Biotech SA exhibited their medical products.
Other Cuban brands, some familiar and some not, included Cerveza Tinima Cervasas y Maltas, Empresa de Bedidas y Refrescos of Pinar del Rio, Montecristo cigars, Quimimpex Import & Export, Confihar and Castrol Cuba, S.A.
If your company is interested in entering the Cuban market, it is vital to attend the FIHAV. Having a booth in your country’s pavilion is one way to gain exposure and make business connections. This is also seen as a reputation building mechanism for market entry.
Also be sure not to miss the opening day speeches. Last year, Rodrigo Malmierca the Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, gave a very important speech with an analysis of Cuba’s foreign investment scene.
Internet access cards and mobile phones can be purchased from the ETECSA booth. The ExpoCuba fairgrounds are extensive. Be prepared to spend at least two days at the FIHAV to cover the entire area. In the past years it’s been very hot, so dress accordingly. Those famished from walking around viewing the pavilions can find sustenance in the various food courts available throughout the fairgrounds.
Cuba Business Report has published more than a few articles on the subject of the FIHAV over the years. If you are planning to exhibit or visit, we would recommend reading further. Tickets are € 95.00 per person and can be purchased directly from the official FIHAV website. (This link will take you directly to the registration page). Hotels can also be reserved when purchasing FIHAV tickets on the website. (Melia Cohiba, Hotel Nacional or the Habana Libre).
Updated: October 11, 2017
From our staff writers and editors.
