Promoting cooperation between Pinar del Río province, Cuba and Vietnamese localities and enterprises

Ambassador Le Quang Long and the delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba worked with leaders of Pinar del Río province.

On March 19, within the framework of a working trip to Pinar del Rio province, Cuba, Vietnamese Ambassador Le Quang Long and the delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba had a working session with provincial leaders, representatives of local departments and businesses.

The visit aims to strengthen the traditional cooperative relationship between the two countries, while opening up opportunities for socio-economic development for both sides in the year marking the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Le Quang Long took a souvenir photo with leaders of Pinar del Rio province.

At the reception, Party Central Committee member and First Secretary of the Pinar del Río Provincial Party Committee, Ms. Yamilé Ramos Cordero, introduced the province's development priorities in the context of Cuba's accelerated economic reform.

Ms. Yamilé Ramos Cordero emphasized the agricultural, tourism and mining potential of Pinar del Río, and affirmed the determination to develop the economy and improve people's lives. Currently, 65% of the province's economy depends on agriculture, notably the production of cigars (accounting for 70% of the country's output) and rice (ranking third in the country).

Ms. Yamilé Ramos Cordero presented the development priorities of Pinar del Río province in the context of Cuba's push for economic reform.

Talking with leaders and representatives of provincial agencies and departments, Ambassador Le Quang Long reaffirmed the special solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba and proposed many specific cooperation initiatives.

Mr. Le Quang Long emphasized that the Vietnamese Embassy is committed to playing the role of a bridge, promoting cooperation between Pinar del Río and Vietnamese localities and enterprises, especially in the fields of agriculture and fisheries.

Ambassador Le Quang Long proposed many specific cooperation initiatives.

One of the focuses mentioned by the Ambassador is expanding cooperation with Dong Nai province - a locality with 32 industrial parks and many key national projects, on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding signed in October 2024.

Ambassador Le Quang Long suggested: "Dong Nai is importing raw materials for production from abroad, while Pinar del Rio has abundant raw materials. This is the basis for the two sides to establish a sustainable supply chain."

In addition, the Ambassador also hopes to promote cooperation between the two sides in politics, economy, culture and people-to-people exchange, implementing the agreements and commitments of the two countries' leaders after the visit of General Secretary and President To Lam last September.

Ambassador Le Quang Long and his delegation, along with leaders of Pinar del Rio province, visited the CCS Ormani Arenado cigar leaf growing field.

Also within the framework of the visit, Ambassador Le Quang Long and the delegation, together with the leaders of Pinar del Rio province, visited the CCS Ormani Arenado cigar leaf growing field and toured the Francisco Donatiel cigar factory.

The Ambassador and the delegation also inspected and surveyed the aquaculture project at La Juventud Aquaculture Center, and visited, encouraged and acknowledged the positive contributions of Vietnamese experts working at the project.

Ambassador Le Quang Long and the delegation visited the aquaculture project at La Juventud Aquaculture Center.

Ambassador Le Quang Long highly appreciated the progress of the aquaculture and rice production projects being piloted in Los Palacios district. He suggested that Pinar del Rio province expand the scale of these projects and also asked the province to take advantage of the experience and techniques of Vietnamese experts.

With an area of ​​nearly 8,900 square kilometers and a population of more than 570,000, Pinar del Río is known as the “cigar capital” of Cuba. However, the province also faces challenges in terms of energy and infrastructure. Ms. Yamilé Ramos Cordero said the province will focus on developing hydroelectric power, expanding the area of ​​rice and vegetable cultivation, and promoting the construction materials industry.

At the end of the visit, Ambassador Le Quang Long affirmed that these exchanges not only strengthen bilateral relations but also pave the way for Vietnamese enterprises to invest in Pinar del Río, especially in the fields of high-tech agriculture and agricultural processing.

The working trip contributed to realizing the vision of mutually beneficial cooperation for the sustainable development of both countries.

Ambassador Le Quang Long and the delegation visited the Francisco Donatiel cigar factory.

Ambassador Le Quang Long and the delegation visited the aquaculture project at La Juventud Aquaculture Center.