41st Havana Int’l Fair Opens with Active Iranian Participation

TEHRAN (Iran News) The Islamic Republic of Iran has established a national pavilion at this year’s fair, hosting several Iranian industrial and manufacturing companies seeking to expand their international trade presence. The fair provides a major platform for showcasing Iranian products and exploring business cooperation with Latin American and global partners.

A number of notable Iranian companies are participating in the 2025 exhibition, representing diverse sectors including petrochemicals, food production, industrial manufacturing, and consumer goods. Among the attendees are food producers Milad Noor Exhibitions Company, Tak Makaron, and Zar Macaron, alongside petrochemical producer Zagros Petrochemical Company, Pumpiran (a leading pump manufacturer), and several well-known Iranian footwear manufacturers.

Their participation illustrates Iran’s increasing interest in diversifying export markets and strengthening trade relations beyond the Middle East and Asia. The fair is viewed as a gateway for Iranian producers to access Caribbean and Latin American markets, where demand for industrial goods, food products, and technology continues to grow.

Cuba, despite enduring decades of U.S. sanctions, maintains trade relations with various global economic partners. It offers promising opportunities in agriculture, industry, mining and mineral resources, and tourism, sectors where international cooperation is both possible and welcomed.

China, Spain, Canada, Venezuela, and Russia are currently Cuba’s main trading partners. Additionally, European countries such as Italy and the Netherlands have also developed commercial ties with Cuba, demonstrating the island’s ability to diversify partnerships despite international restrictions.

In this diplomatic and economic setting, participation by Iranian companies signals Tehran’s intent to strengthen ties with Havana and broaden its reach in Latin America.

Trade relations between Iran and Cuba have increased steadily but remain below their full potential. In 2023, bilateral trade volume reached $218 million, a significant jump compared to previous years. Nevertheless, Iranian and Cuban officials believe the figure could expand substantially with improved business engagement, trade missions, and sector-specific cooperation.

Iran exports a range of goods to Cuba, primarily oil derivatives, petrochemical products, construction materials, and food items such as rice, wheat, poultry, and oilseeds. In return, Cuba supplies Iran with pharmaceutical products, medical equipment, and specialized engineering and technical services, a sector in which Cuba enjoys a global reputation due to its advanced biotechnology and healthcare expertise.

Experts note that strengthening financial channels, establishing joint ventures, and expanding logistics infrastructure could dramatically increase trade volume in the coming years. With private sector engagement now more visible at events such as the Havana International Fair, both nations are laying the groundwork for deeper commercial cooperation.