Cuba seeks to strengthen investment ties and high-quality workforce cooperation with Dong Nai

On April 16, Nguyen Van Ut, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee, received a delegation from the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in Vietnam led by Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes. 

The delegation also included the Ambassador’s spouse, Mabel Raiza Pérez Guio, and Alejandro Martinez Duque, Consul General of Cuba in Ho Chi Minh City.

Leaders of provincial departments and agencies were also present at the reception.

The working session between Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Ut and Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes. Photo: Ngoc Lien.

During the meeting, Cuban Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes emphasized that the long-standing friendship between Cuba and Vietnam was founded by leaders Fidel Castro and Ho Chi Minh, and has been preserved and strengthened over time.

The Cuban Ambassador praised Dong Nai’s recent socio-economic performance and expressed confidence in its continued growth. He also extended his appreciation to the authorities and people of Dong Nai for their continued support to Cuba, while voicing his expectation that people-to-people diplomacy and local-level cooperation would continue to expand.

In particular, he noted that the planned establishment of the Vietnam–Cuba Friendship Association in Dong Nai would serve as a meaningful milestone in further strengthening bilateral ties.

Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee Nguyen Van Ut presents a traditional Bien Hoa ceramic vase to Cuban Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes. Photo: Ngoc Lien.

Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes expressed his hope that Dong Nai would support efforts to promote investment and encourage local enterprises to explore opportunities in Cuba, especially in food production, renewable energy transition, pharmaceuticals, and digital transformation.

Cuba, he added, always stands ready to support Dong Nai in training human resources, including offering scholarships for Vietnamese students to study in Cuba. In addition, the country can provide a pool of highly qualified workers who could participate in projects and factories should enterprises in Dong Nai require.

Cuban Ambassador presents his country’s specialties to leaders of Dong Nai province. Photo: Ngoc Lien.

In response, Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee Nguyen Van Ut reaffirmed that Vietnam and Cuba share a long-standing relationship that has been consistently nurtured and developed over the years. The ambassador’s visit, he noted, further reflects and reinforces these close ties.

The Cuban Embassy delegation and leaders of Dong Nai province pose for a group photo. Photo: Ngoc Lien.

Updating the Cuban delegation on the province’s socio-economic situation, Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee noted that Dong Nai hosts the largest number of industrial parks nationwide and ranks fourth in economic scale. The province has developed across multiple sectors, including industry, high technology, logistics, urban development, trade, services, and high-tech agriculture.

He also noted that Dong Nai is preparing to transition its governance model from a province to a centrally governed city. However, regardless of its administrative status, the provincial leader emphasized that the province remains committed to welcoming international partners and fostering cooperation.

To further strengthen traditional solidarity and friendship between the two countries, the Chairman of the Dong Nai People’s Committee Nguyen Van Ut requested the Department of Home Affairs to review and accelerate the establishment of the Vietnam–Cuba Friendship Association in Dong Nai, while also reviewing and elevating the ties between the province and Cuban localities.

Regarding investment promotion between localities, he expressed his agreement with the ambassador’s proposals and affirmed that relevant agencies will be directed to facilitate connections and cooperation with Cuban partners, thereby deepening bilateral solidarity and friendship.

By N.Lien – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha