At the meeting, Hai noted that HCM City highly values its active cooperation with the Cuban government and localities, particularly in education, health care, trade, and people-to-people exchanges. As of August 2024, the total import-export turnover between the city and various Cuban localities reached nearly US$8 million. The two sides regularly organize exchanges at different levels.
According to Hai, both HCM City and Santiago de Cuba hold great potential for cooperation. HCM City serves as a regional connectivity hub and an international trade center that feature Tan Son Nhat International Airport and Cat Lai Port, the largest in the country. Meanwhile, Santiago de Cuba is known as the second largest province in Cuba, with strengths in agriculture, industry, tourism, and culture. The port of Santiago de Cuba plays a crucial role in international trade, acting as a gateway connecting Cuba to the world.
In 2007, Hai recalled that HCM City and Santiago de Cuba signed a memorandum of understanding to promote friendly cooperation. However, such cooperation has yet to be deployed. He therefore proposed that the two sides resume exchanges and work towards signing a new document to establish friendly cooperation, outlining priority areas and specific collaboration programs.
Waldis Gonzalez Peinado for his part shared Hai’s proposal and said Santiago de Cuba is ready to re-start the previous cooperation document. He suggested that both sides should quickly finalize specific cooperation programmes, capitalizing on shared interests and potential to bring cooperation into practice.
He expressed hope that HCM City would send a delegation to participate in the Caribbean Trade Show in 2025 in Cuba, as well as connecting with other provinces and cities in southern Vietnam to explore cooperation opportunities with Santiago de Cuba.
