The opening of a representation of the Russian bank Novikombank in Havana constitutes a fundamental and decisive action, considered this Thursday the Deputy Prime Minister of Cuba Ricardo Cabrisas.
There is no trade or investment that advances if there is no effective participation of the banking system, declared the deputy head of Government to the press, after the official presentation of the Novikomobank subsidiary in Cuba, in a ceremony at the Meliá Cohiba hotel.
Furthermore, this is important because both the Russian Federation and Cuba, under conditions of unilateral coercive measures, need a banking system that works with this country, the official considered.
The opening of the bank is a very important step that will be a sign of triumph for actions to strengthen commercial ties, he estimated.
This is really the result of the joint effort of the top leaders of the Russian Federation and Cuba, particularly through the consensus reached between their presidents, Cabrisas said.
Furthermore, this fact will mark a milestone in one of the most important sectors to develop any economic and financial relationship that occupies any country, considered the deputy prime minister.
Precisely, one of the sectors most harassed by United States policy in its efforts to suffocate our economy is Cuba’s banking and financial system.
This has several expressions, but a specific one is the inclusion of Cuba in the list of countries that according to Washington sponsor terrorism, when it is one of the nations most affected by state terrorism practiced by the United States, the official recalled.
But I have no doubt that this decision by Russia and in particular by the Novikombank bank will mark a before and after of this event, he said. Cuba decided to open its national market to the attraction of foreign capital and based on that sovereign decision, conversations were held with the government of the Russian Federation to apply new approaches to our economic relations, Cabrisas highlighted.
Hence, the signing of a framework agreement was reached that includes Russia’s commitment to support its business community so that, in accordance with their interests, they participate in Cuba’s economic development plan until 2030, the deputy prime minister stressed.
Cuba, for its part, is committed to offering certain incentives and facilities for those businessmen who decide to participate in the aforementioned plan of the island so that they are stimulated in these projects, he emphasized.
In addition, a roadmap was signed with each of the objectives in Cuba’s commercial development plans that may be of interest to the Russian Federation and even determined who would participate on both sides and the deadlines for their compliance.
There is a third document signed by both parties on key projects that determine the priorities of those sectors and the projects within them that mark the path to boost and diversify economic relations, the official said.
A fourth document refers to the preparation and signing of a bilateral economic agenda that focuses on the projection of both parties in the short, medium and long term, he noted.
