14ymedio, Havana, 26 December 2016 – Faces of Cuba 2016: An economist with a degree from the University of Havana, Rodrigo Malmierca served in several diplomatic positions before being appointed Cuba’s Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment. This year has had a particularly intense agenda, trying to attract foreign capital to the island’s shrinking economy.
During the International Fair of Havana (Fihav), in early November, the minister acknowledged that, two years after the reestablishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States, foreign investment goals have not been achieved and the country must correct its mistakes. The island demands “high rates of investment,” the official said.
Malmierca was the official face during the presentation of the new business portfolio, which includes 395 projects valued at more than 9.5 billion dollars, with a leading role in the tourism, oil, food and energy sectors.