TEHRAN (Iran News) According to Iran Chamber Online, Samad Hassanzadeh, president of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines, and Agriculture, said the delegation’s visit to Havana and meetings with senior Cuban officials during the Havana International Fair 2025 provided a clearer picture of Cuba’s economic conditions, needs, and capacities—allowing Iran to draft a realistic roadmap for trade relations.

Hassanzadeh said Cuban officials—including the president, the ministers of industry, domestic trade, foreign trade and investment, and the head of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce—expressed a positive view of the quality and diversity of Iranian products. He said there is growing demand in Cuba for Iranian brands, particularly in food industries, clothing, footwear, and consumer goods such as tires and batteries.

He noted that long-standing sanctions have left significant marks on Cuba’s urban landscape, leading to widespread deterioration and the shutdown of many factories. He said Cuba needs a national reconstruction campaign focused on urban renewal, industrial modernization, and tourism infrastructure, making Iran’s technical and engineering services a promising sector for cooperation.

Cuba was once the world’s leading sugar exporter, he added, but its sugarcane agro-industry is now largely inactive.

Hassanzadeh emphasized that although both Iran and Cuba are under sanctions, their impacts on Cuba have been “far more severe” due to the long duration of economic restrictions. He said this contrast demonstrates Iran’s relatively more effective management of sanctions and public welfare challenges.

Hassanzadeh said Cuban officials welcomed the presence of reputable Iranian companies in their market. It was agreed that an Iranian company would directly handle marketing for Iranian goods in Cuba.

He also referenced Iran’s request for mechanisms to reduce investment risks and ensure capital repatriation. According to Hassanzadeh, Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Trade said the country’s doors are “fully open” to Iranian businesses and that the Cuban government would minimize investment risks for Iranian investors.

One major proposal came from Cuba’s foreign trade minister, who suggested launching a sugarcane agro-industry project with Iranian investment. Under the plan, a sugar production plant and surrounding sugarcane farms would be developed—either as a joint venture or through direct Iranian investment.

Hassanzadeh said it was agreed that Cuba would provide Iran with a list of dormant industries and factories. After technical review, Iran would identify projects suitable for investment, rehabilitation, or reconstruction.

Cuba’s president also committed to sending a list of national needs and priority sectors to Iran through the Iranian ambassador. With this positive stance, Hassanzadeh said, expanding Iranian exports to Cuba “is achievable even in the short term.”

He added that the Iran Chamber allocated funds to purchase more than eight tons of rice for victims of recent hurricanes in eastern Cuba. Additionally, with the support of the Chamber and cooperation of an Iranian shoe manufacturer present at the Havana fair, 2,000 pairs of shoes will be donated to Cubans in need.

Hassanzadeh expressed hope that, with active economic diplomacy and support from both governments, Iran–Cuba economic relations will expand further. He said strengthening trade between Iran and Cuba could serve as a model for economic cooperation with other countries facing sanctions.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Díaz-Canel was welcomed by Samad Hassanzadeh, President of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture; Ghadir Giafeh, the chamber’s Vice President; and Iran’s Ambassador to Cuba, Zabihollah Naderi. The Cuban president toured booths showcasing the capabilities of Iranian companies in industrial manufacturing, exports and various commercial services.

During discussions with representatives of Iranian firms, Díaz-Canel reviewed details of their products, technologies and export capacities, expressing hope that the exhibition and its accompanying trade forums would pave the way for stronger cooperation, expanded economic ties and new trade opportunities between the two nations. He emphasized that Cuba fully supports mutual investment and the development of economic exchanges with Iran.

Iran’s pavilion features companies active in petrochemicals, food production, industrial equipment, clothing, trade services and economic institutions — a presence that Díaz-Canel praised as demonstrating Cuba’s interest in deeper cooperation with Iran.

During his visit to a booth of an Iranian pump manufacturer, he instructed officials to facilitate meetings between the company’s representatives, Cuba’s Water Resources Institute and the Minister of Foreign Trade to explore technical collaboration.

While visiting Iranian food producers, the Cuban president invited them to visit local chain stores and plan for product distribution in Cuba. In discussions with Iranian footwear manufacturers, he encouraged direct negotiations with Cuban companies to identify areas for joint production.

Díaz-Canel also pointed to a recent agreement between Iran’s and Cuba’s food and drug regulatory agencies as a model that could be expanded to other fields of economic cooperation.

Samad Hassanzadeh, who accompanied the Cuban president during the visit, praised Cuba’s cooperation in providing vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic and said Iran’s Chamber of Commerce is working to increase private sector presence in the Cuban market by improving knowledge of its regulations and needs.

He stressed that unfamiliarity with market demands remains a key obstacle to expanding trade, urging both governments to facilitate exchange of market information for greater business interaction.

Hassanzadeh identified pharmaceuticals and medical equipment, tourism, agricultural investment and mining as attractive sectors for expanding bilateral cooperation.

Meanwhile later Hassanzadeh said that addressing challenges in Cuba’s agricultural supply chain could become one of Iran’s areas of activity in the country. He also emphasized that Iran is well-positioned to help revive Cuban industries that have been inactive for years.

Speaking to Al-Mayadeen during the 41st Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2025), which opened in a formal ceremony attended by Cuba’s president, economic ministers, ambassadors, and heads of business chambers, Hassanzadeh highlighted the participation of major Iranian producers, economic actors, and leading industrial and food companies in the event. He noted that Iran’s significant capabilities in technical and engineering services, oil and petrochemical industries could support expanded economic cooperation with Cuba.

The head of the Iran Chamber stressed that many Iranian products are well-suited to Cuba’s market needs. With advanced technology and expertise across multiple sectors, he said, Iran could provide valuable support in restoring Cuban industries that have been dormant for years, enabling Cuba to benefit from Iran’s capacities and resources.

Hassanzadeh pointed to sugarcane cultivation as a promising area for bilateral agricultural initiatives, stating that the Iranian private sector is prepared to help resolve challenges in Cuba’s supply chain based on Iran’s agricultural capabilities.

He also called Cuba’s recent achievements in biomedical research and vaccine development a strong foundation for mutual cooperation, adding that Iran’s own accomplishments in healthcare make “health diplomacy” a practical path for strengthening bilateral relations.

Regarding Cuba’s tourism sector, Hassanzadeh said he has instructed the Iran Chamber’s International Affairs Department to take effective steps to better familiarize Iranian businesses with the Cuban market in order to identify opportunities for the presence of Iranian products in the country.

Vice President Ghadir Giafeh also pointed to the potential of the mining and mineral industries, expressing hope that trade volume between Iran and Cuba could reach $1 billion annually within five years through a focus on this sector.

While trade between Iran and Cuba has grown steadily in recent years, officials acknowledged it remains far below its potential. In 2023, bilateral trade reached approximately $218 million — a significant rise from previous years but still short of capacity.

Iran’s main exports to Cuba include petroleum derivatives, petrochemicals, construction materials and food products such as rice, wheat, poultry and oilseeds. Cuba’s major imports from Iran consist of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and technical and engineering services.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) According to a Friday report from Iran’s Information Technology Organization, during a meeting on the sidelines of the 28th session of the UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD) in Geneva, Mohammad Mohsen Sadr, Iran’s Deputy ICT Minister, emphasized the importance of expanding and deepening bilateral cooperation with Cuba.

Highlighting the history of interactions between the two nations, Sadr stated that Iran is committed to strengthening these relations. He noted that during the Cuban ICT Minister’s visit to Iran, the country’s capabilities in various sectors were presented. Iran is now fully prepared to collaborate further in areas such as e-government and smart governance.

Sadr also announced Iran’s readiness to hold training courses and mentioned the signing of a bilateral agreement in the field of cybersecurity. He concluded by stressing the need to establish a joint committee to coordinate cooperation between the two countries.

Hernandez, Cuba’s Deputy Minister of Communications, expressed satisfaction with the ongoing engagements between the two countries and stated that there is strong determination among Cuban officials to strengthen ties with Iran. He added that Cuban companies are preparing proposals to expand collaboration.

Referring to the presence of Iranian firms at Cuba’s technology exhibition last year, Hernandez highlighted the positive developments in cybersecurity cooperation.

He emphasized the importance of becoming more familiar with Iran’s technological achievements and welcomed closer ties, especially in cybersecurity. Hernandez noted that the upcoming visit of the Cuban ICT Minister to Iran would further explore potential areas of collaboration.

He identified smart government implementation as a priority for Cuban authorities and said Cuba is eager to benefit from Iran’s expertise and training in this area.

Hernandez also expressed interest in having Iranian companies participate in Cuba’s 2026 technology exhibition and announced that a formal invitation will be sent. He confirmed Cuba’s readiness to take part in Iran’s international events as well.

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As reported by the portal of Iran’s Trade Promotion Organization (TPO), the document was signed by Iran’s Deputy Industry Minister for Commercial and Trade Affairs Mohammad-Sadegh Mofatteh and Cuba’s Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz.

During the meeting, the officials explored the existing capacities and market needs of the other side in various fields and good agreements were reached for long-term cooperation in order to improve the level of trade exchanges.

The two countries also stressed the need for developing industrial, mining, and trade cooperation between the two countries during the mentioned event.

Attended by senior officials and representatives of various economic sectors from both sides, the 18th meeting of the Iran-Cuba Joint Economic Committee was held in Tehran during May 15-17.

As the special envoy of the Cuban president, Cabrisas Ruiz headed a high-ranking delegation to Iran with the aim of meeting with the officials of the Islamic Republic and attending the meeting of the two countries’ joint economic committee.

During his stay in Tehran, Cabrisas Ruiz also met with Iranian Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Ehsan Khandouzi, during which he stressed the expansion of economic ties between the two countries.

Speaking in this meeting, Khandouzi stated that the Iranian government has always welcomed the establishment of long-term and stable economic relations with Latin American countries, especially Cuba, the Economy Ministry’s news portal Shada reported.

“Given the excellent political relations between the two countries, Cuba is of particular importance to the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he added.

Referring to the history of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of health and agriculture, Khandouzi emphasized the need to improve economic relations between the two countries and said: “We are expected to take more serious steps to develop cooperation and implement agreements.”

The minister further pointed to the lack of proper knowledge regarding business and economic opportunities and advantages of trade and investment between the two countries as the most important reason for the weak trade collaborations between Iran and Cuban private sectors.

He then announced Iran’s readiness to hold online meetings with the presence of representatives of the government and private sectors of Iran and Cuba in order to exchange knowledge about the business and investment opportunities of the two countries.

EF/MA

Photo: Cuba’s Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz (L) and Iran’s Deputy Industry Minister for Commercial and Trade Affairs Mohammad-Sadegh Mofatteh sign a document for barter trade between the two countries on Tuesday in Tehran.

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Speaking in an online webinar on reviewing trade capacities between Iran and the Latin American states, Sobhani said that Cuba is the only Communist country in the western hemisphere, adding that although China and Vietnam are also considered Communist states but Cuba still has a closed security system and it has not opened like China and Vietnam. He added that of course since two years ago some issues have been discussed and happened in Cuba’s economy that it can be an opportunity for increasing cooperation between Tehran and Havana.

He said one of the economic problems of Cuba is the U.S. sanctions which have been imposed for six decades and these sanctions were intensified during the U.S. President Donald Trump era. Sobahani noted that the Covid pandemic led to the slump in Cuba’s revenues because Cuba is a tourist destination and tourism incomes account for 70% of Cuba’s GDP but since two years ago and with the pandemic, the number of tourists to Cuba has sharply decreased and it has caused economic pressure on different walks of the life in Cuba.

Sobhani noted that another economic problem of Cuba is restriction in transfer of banking havalas from the U.S. and currently 2m Cubans are living in Florida in the U.S. and this restriction regarding havalas has decreased annual revenues of Cuba by $8b.

He went on to say that of course major part of the economic problems in Cuba is mismanagement and Cubans have recently realized it and they are currently interested in increasing the participation of the private sector in economic affairs. He said of course Cuban officials are sensitive to the word of private and refrain from using this word and they mostly use the word non-government instead of the private.

On the opportunities for cooperation between Tehran and Cuba, Sobhani said that both Iran and Cuba are under sanctions and they can cooperate in the club of the sanctioned countries and there is strong determination among the officials of Iran and Cuba for enhancing cooperation.

He referred to the cooperation of Iran and Cuba in the field of biotechnology and said both countries have good experience in cooperation in this field for almost two decades, adding that Cuba was the first country which felicitated the victory of the Islamic Revolution and transferred the technology of producing vaccine to Iran.

Sobhani went on to say that Cuba is a thirsty and import-centered market which can be a very good market for exports of different types of Iranian goods, saying that the country welcomes imports of petrochemical products, fertilizers, foodstuff like dairy and fishery products and there are good opportunities for cooperation with Cuba, and Iran and Cuba can cooperate and create joint companies in fields of exporting engineering services.

He said Cuba has very good capacities in producing different types of medicines and one of the major pharmaceutical achievements of Cuba is treatment and prevention of the Alzheimer’s that Iran can import it from Cuba.

He reiterated investment in the energy sector can be a very good opportunity and Iran needs government investment in mega projects of Cuba and the government should play its role. He said Iran can invest in the field of renewable projects and especially in the solar energy in Cuba because Cuba wants to use 25% of its energy by 2030 through using renewable energies.

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The webinar covered a variety of subjects including opportunities for developing economic and trade relations between the two countries’ private sectors and the challenges and obstacles faced by the two sides’ traders.

The event was attended by Iranian Ambassador in Havana Mohammad Hadi Sobhani, TCCIMA Deputy Head for International Affairs Hessamedin Hallaj, TCCIMA Secretary-General Bahman Eshqi, Cuban Ambassador to Tehran Alberto Gonzalez, and the President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba Antonio Luis Carricarte Corona.

In this webinar, the participants expressed their views on the cooperation capacities of the private sectors of the two countries.

Speaking in the online meeting, Eshqi noted that the U.S. sanctions could be considered an opportunity for Iran and Cuba to expand economic ties in line with political cooperation.

“Despite the economic differences and the geographical distance between the two countries, Iran and Cuba are facing common challenges and have been facing the problems caused by sanctions for many years and have the experience of trade under the shadow of sanctions. The private sectors of the two countries can formulate a joint plan to continue cooperation and turn it into a joint roadmap,” Eshqi said.

Eshghi proposed the establishment of a virtual TCCIMA office in the Cuban Chamber of Commerce and added: “By opening this office, the information of the members of the chambers of commerce of the two countries, their services, products, and capacities can be exchanged and made available to the other side.”

Further in the online event, Sobhani referred to the good political relations between Iran and Cuba over the past 42 years and noted that unfortunately, economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has not progressed in line with political cooperation.

Finally, Gonzalez for his part expressed the Cuban private sector’s interest in increasing trade between Iran and Cuba.

He welcomed the Tehran Chamber’s proposal to open a virtual office in the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, saying: “Such activities will be very effective in promoting economic relations between the two sides.”

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Last year, U.S. sanctions were believed to have killed around 40,000 Venezuelans as the unilateral measures prevented Caracas from importing vital medical supplies, especially during a Pandemic.

Maduro made the remarks during a speech he delivered at the annual session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He said, “[the assembly] must be liberated from any hegemony or any empires’ attempts at economic, financial, military or political domination; liberated from those who over centuries plundered, dominated, exploited and oppressed people throughout the world with their old, rapacious colonialism.”

He says, “there are those who are today attempting to impose new forms of colonialism on our people, new forms of domination, looting, oppression, and exploitation of people throughout the world… That is why in this General Assembly… Venezuela is calling for a new world free from colonialism, a new world without imperialism, a new world without any dominant hegemony”.

The Venezuelan leader’s speech had been prerecorded and came when his government was engaged in talks with the U.S.-backed opposition to try and solve the political problems in the South American country. It also follows his participation in the recent Community of Latin American and the Caribbean States summit.

Maduro stated, “Financial accounts are being chased, gold has been seized and blocked from the legal international reserves of the Central Bank of Venezuela in London, and billions of dollars in bank accounts have been seized and blocked in the United States, Europe, and more”.

According to Maduro, Venezuelan oil companies are being prevented from trading their products and open bank accounts to make commercial transactions.

“It is a financial, monetary, commercial, economic, energy persecution. It is systematic, cruel, and criminal. Venezuela raises its voice to denounce it before the peoples of the world.”

Demanding the end of all sanctions against his country, Maduro said he was grateful for the support and effort of UN Member States who are working towards this goal. Maduro said that in 2021, his country had gone from a painful phase to a recovery phase, with sustained growth in science, innovation, technology, and “spiritual capacity”.

“We have taken the path of recovery and integral growth for our nation. We have taken the path of deploying the productive forces of a country subjected to an infernal blockade, criminal persecution, and the cruel torture of its economic and social body. And can we say to the peoples of the world with courage, decisiveness, intelligence, and wisdom: ‘Yes’, we can face the imperial aggressions and move forward”, he underscored.

The President added that this year has also seen Venezuela advance towards an inclusive peace dialogue and the holding of regional and local elections in November.
“We have started several dialogues with business, social, political, and union sectors. We have ratified the path of dialogue… recently we had a national peace and sovereignty dialogue on August 13”, he told the Assembly.

He also announced that with the support of Mexican President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador and the special diplomatic aid of Norway, the Russian Federation, and the Netherlands, his country was addressing a comprehensive plan to advance in the social and economic recovery.

Maduro called for the “building of a new world”, free of hegemony and based on multilateralism and international law principles. He said, “a new world that emerges from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, and from the native peoples of the United States of America. A new world that is reborn to end the old hegemonies, to put an end to the pretense of some to become policemen and judges of all the peoples of the world”. The Venezuelan leader added that this new world requires reforms at the United Nations as well. “Venezuela stands up with its own voice for that new world.”

Maduro also welcomed talks being held between the government and the opposition to resolve their differences without outside interference saying, “I am grateful for the support of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, to the Mexican dialogue process and I ask for the full support of the United Nations so that the dialogue process in Mexico advances towards new partial agreements and towards a global agreement to strengthen the peace, sovereignty and the integral prosperity of Venezuela.”

The third round of this dialogue process will take place towards the end of this month. Washington has tried on multiple occasions to bring down the Venezuelan government through sanctions, military intervention, and recognizing opposition figure Guan Guido as the country’s President. This is despite Guido having not contested an election in his life.

Meanwhile, the President of Cuba, Miguel Marion Diaz-Canel, has underlined the importance of multilateralism in his speech to the high-level General Debate at the General Assembly. He strongly denounced the foreign policy of the United States.

Diaz-Canel, who delivered a speech via a prerecorded video, said that the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic have rendered the United Nations even more critical. When international cooperation has been insufficient, and “neo-liberal formulas” have reduced States’ capabilities to meet the needs of their populations.

Diaz-Canel also says that U.S. attacks against Cuba have “exceeded all limits, referring to the U.S. Government’s maintenance of his country on a list of countries that sponsor terrorism.

The U.S., said Diaz-Canel, is projecting a false image of Cuba and has done everything to “erase the Cuban Revolution from the political map to the world”. He declared that the country would continue to stand its ground.

He went on to denounce the United States’ foreign policy, which, he said, is promoting a “dangerous international schism…through the pernicious use and abuse of coercive economic measures”.

According to the Cuban President, the U.S. pressures countries to speak and act against adversaries overthrows legitimate governments, and breaks trade agreements. “It is a kind of behavior associated to ideological and cultural intolerance, with a remarkable racist influence and hegemonic ambition purposes”, he stated.

He reiterated Cuba’s commitment to peace in Colombia, an end to foreign interference in Syria, and a just solution to the conflict in West Asia. The President condemned the “unilateral [U.S.] coercive measures” imposed against Iran and the “unilateral and unjust” sanctions against North Korea and reaffirmed solidarity with the Saharan people.

He also denounced that “the most vulnerable have been left unprotected, while rich nations, the elites, and the pharmaceutical transnational corporations have continued to profit”

He also noted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuba has shown solidarity with other countries, sending more than 4,900 health workers to 40 countries and territories affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. He described them as “the pride of our nation and a symbol of its vocation for justice.”

Diaz-Canel suggested that an answer could be transforming what he called the “unequal and antidemocratic international order”. Developed countries, he continued, are mainly responsible for the current situation and have a moral obligation to take responsibility.

He declared that the Cuban people have the right to live in peace and security, development, well-being, and social justice, adding that “a revitalized, democratized and strengthened United Nations is called to play a key role in this effort.”

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At the proposal of the Cuban Minister of Science, Technology and Environment Elba Rosa Pérez, the Order recognizes Biglari’s collaboration in the development of the immunogen against Covid-19 Soberana 02, a project promoted by the Finlay Institute of Vaccines (IFV).

The scientist’s support made it possible to carry out phase III of clinical studies with that vaccine candidate and then obtain approval for the emergency use of this product in Iran.

Soberana-02 vaccine (called Pastu Covac in Iran) is jointly developed by Cuba’s IFV and Pasteur Institute of Iran.

The Council of State grants the Carlos J. Finlay Order to national and foreign personalities, as well as to groups for their merit and contribution to the development of natural or social sciences in Cuba.

Also deserving the distinction are research activities that made an exceptional contribution to scientific progress and for the benefit of humanity.

Previously, Biglari said the Pastu Covac coronavirus vaccine is the only vaccine in the world that can fight several mutations simultaneously.

Due to the vaccine’s capabilities, the global demand is increasing day by day, because it is the only vaccine in the world that can fight several mutations simultaneously, he highlighted, IRIB reported on July 25.

The third phase of the clinical trial of the vaccine is underway in eight cities. It is going to be administrated to 24,000 people by August 20. Results of the evaluation will be announced, which will help obtain sufficient documentation for the approval of the World Health Organization, Biglari said.

In previous weeks, 130,000 doses of vaccines produced in Iran and Cuba were delivered to the Ministry of Health and have been distributed in several provinces across the country, he noted.

In September, the installation of the production line will be completed with a capacity of 3 million doses and will begin operation in early autumn.

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