Companies at Havana food fair aim to revitalize industry, attract investment opportunities

The 4th International Food Fair in Havana is buzzing with activities as Cuban and international food companies connect to discuss potential partnerships and foreign investment opportunities.

Cuban Deputy Premier Jorge Luis Tapia and Food Industry Minister Alberto Lopez inaugurated the event in Havana on Tuesday, with the fair highlighting Cuba's push to revitalize its domestic food industry.

Over 100 local and international companies are showcasing a wide range of food products and processing technologies at the food fair, which runs until Thursday.

The event facilitates business exchanges, presentations, and networking opportunities, while also promoting Cuba's portfolio of export products. Foreign participants at the fair have brought both raw materials and finished food products to the Cuban market.

"Our company focuses on the Caribbean market. Cuba is a very attractive market due to its current demand, so we are in the fair to expand our client lists," said Jorge Guerra, director of a Panamanian company.

"We are exporting to the Cuban market for around two years. We have sunflower oil products, wheat flour products and pasta products here in the market and the supermarkets also," said Ahmet Kose, export manager of Naz Group.

The 4th International Food Fair is a matchmaking event for Cuban companies, both state-owned and private, to connect with potential local and foreign partners.

"Our main objective at the fair is finding providers of wheat flour to produce bread for the Cuban people," said Beatriz Urrutia, quality manager of Cuban Bread Industry.

"We have been working with state companies to produce different product lines. We are also working with chain stores including CIMEX," said Mario Hernandez, general director of El Rey Company.

Cuban authorities said that the event fosters joint initiatives to improve the local food industry, while promoting exchanges and trade among global companies to mutually benefit each other.

Companies at Havana food fair aim to revitalize industry, attract investment opportunities

China Movie and TV Night 2024, a special gala at the ongoing 26th Shanghai International Film Festival, was held on Sunday to share stories of China's film development.

Themed "Worlds of Film, Stories of China," the gala focuses on promoting original Chinese films and TV series and shares the stories of Chinese practitioners in the industry.

"I think the China Movie and TV Night lets people see the development of Chinese films from different dimensions and see a promising prospect of the film industry. It did a good job in creating a great platform for all of us to communicate and show," said director Li Shaohong.

The production teams of several upcoming TV series and the classic cartoon Happy Dad and Son 6 participated in the promotional activities at the gala and shared behind-the-scenes stories and their understanding of the characters.

The opening ceremony of the French Film Week was also held at the gala celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France. The event features outstanding recent works from major international film festivals, showcasing the diverse perspectives and societal aspects of contemporary French cinema.

"I think the French Film Week in Shanghai is a very good way to connect the two markets. Hopefully, some of these films can get a more broad distribution. But it's already great that they're showing in the festival, because French films usually don't have that much exposure in China. I think that's also thanks to the work the festival does, and it's a great opportunity to share very recent films and some older films," said French producer Natacha Devillers.

Shanghai International Film Festival special gala showcases stories of filmmaking

Shanghai International Film Festival special gala showcases stories of filmmaking