Vietnam and Cuba strengthen economic ties with minister's visit to Mariel Zone

Le Hoasi Trung, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam's Central Committee and its foreign minister, visited Cuba's Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM) on Sunday. The visit underscores the strong historical ties between Vietnam and Cuba.

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This visit is part of the agreements adopted in 2024 by the leaders of the parties and heads of state of both countries.

During his visit to ViMariel S.A., a Cuban company with wholly foreign capital operating since 2019, Ana Teresa Igarza Martínez, the company's director general, noted that Vietnam ranks as the second-largest country with business presence in the zone. She explained that the visit aligns with agreements made in 2024 by the leaders of both countries' parties and states. The trip allows for an evaluation of Vietnamese businesses in Cuba across sectors like industry, agri-food production, renewable energy, commerce, and finance.

Igarza Martínez stated that ZEDM is keen on this exchange. Recent transformations approved by the National Assembly aim to invigorate the economy and improve conditions for established businesses while attracting new ones. "We must work together," she affirmed.

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It allows for the evaluation of the progress of Vietnamese businesses in our country, in sectors such as industry, agri-food activity, production of disposable diapers, detergent, the development of renewable energies, as well as others such as the trade and financial and banking sectors.

Le Hoasi Trung conveyed that the Vietnamese people are motivated by fraternity and will not abandon Cuba, despite U.S. pressure. He reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to investing where needed, leveraging business opportunities while aiding Cuba's complex situation. ViMariel S.A. confirmed its role as the sole ZEDM concessionaire, enabling it to project, invest, build, manage, and operate infrastructure and an industrial park over 50 years.

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We must work together.

The Vietnamese delegation also toured Pinar del Río's rice production areas, part of a joint project between Vietnam and Cuba. Over 900 hectares have been planted in 2026 with positive yields, and planting continues. Le Hoasi Trung praised the quality of Pinar del Río's soil, noting that Vietnamese farmers achieved high yields in less favorable conditions in 2025. Yamilé Ramos Cordero, the first secretary of the Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba in Pinar del Río, provided details to the visiting minister.

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The Vietnamese people are moved by fraternity, they will never leave Cuba alone despite the siege to which it is subjected by the government of the United States, and reaffirmed the will to invest where it is most needed, taking advantage of business opportunities for entrepreneurs from their country, but with the aim of helping in this complex scenario.