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🇵🇦 Panama /Economy & Trade

Cuba to hold its main trade fair online as crisis deepens

From TVN Panamá · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Cuba will hold the main exhibition portion of the Havana International Fair online for the first time because of worsening sanctions and the country’s crisis.
  • Organizers said exhibitors from participating countries will be able to present products virtually, while an in-person business forum will take place on Nov. 26.
  • The fair will also promote 176 market-oriented reforms approved in June as Cuba faces energy shortages, inflation, blackouts and shortages of food and medicine.

Cuba’s main trade showcase is moving online. The Havana International Fair, or Fihav, will hold its 42nd edition virtually in November for the first time as the island confronts a deepening economic and energy crisis.

Organizers attributed the decision to what Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga called “the complex context” created by the United States’ maximum-pressure policy. Participants will be able to exhibit their products virtually, while a business forum will be held in person on Nov. 26.

the complex context

· Oscar Pérez-Oliva FragaCuba’s foreign trade minister used the phrase to describe the circumstances behind the fair’s virtual format.

Fihav brought together exhibitors from 52 countries in 2025. This year, Cuban authorities plan to use the event to brief the country’s business partners on 176 market-oriented reforms approved in June to address the economic crisis.

The announcement comes as Cuba faces prolonged power cuts, high inflation and persistent shortages of food and medicine. The crisis has also disrupted international business activity, with several airlines and foreign companies suspending operations in the country. Authorities canceled the Festival del Habano in February, despite the event’s annual contribution of several million euros through a well-known auction.

will be able to exhibit their products virtually

· Oscar Pérez-Oliva FragaThe minister explained how exhibitors will participate in the fair.
About this summary

Originally published by TVN Panamá in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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