Ambassador Marsán in one of the Country Presentation sessions at LAC FIRST on June 24, 2026 at Niryat Bhawan

Cuba has earned global recognition in biotechnology. What makes this sector so important?

From the earliest years of the Revolution, Cuba invested heavily in education and human capital. Fidel Castro believed our greatest natural resource was our people. That philosophy helped us build a highly sophisticated biotechnology sector.

Today we have innovative therapies for cancer, neurological disorders and diabetic foot ulcers, among other conditions. Many of these products have demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes internationally. We see enormous scope to work with India through technology transfer, joint research, co-development and manufacturing. India already supplies pharmaceutical raw materials to Cuba, making the partnership a natural fit.

Renewable energy also appears to be a major priority.

Absolutely. Cuba is undergoing an energy transition. We have traditionally depended on fossil fuels, but we are rapidly expanding renewable energy. With sunshine throughout the year, solar power presents enormous possibilities. We are also looking at wind energy, hydrogen and electric mobility.

India’s achievements in renewable energy have been remarkable. We would like India to become one of Cuba’s principal partners as we modernise our energy infrastructure and move towards greater energy independence.

What opportunities exist in agriculture and food production?

Food security is a national priority for Cuba. We possess fertile land, abundant water resources and favourable climatic conditions. However, we require modern technology, mechanisation and investment.

We have introduced significant reforms to encourage foreign investment. Indian companies can participate through co-production, long-term land leases and modern agricultural technologies. Sugar is another area with tremendous potential. Cuba intends to revitalise its sugar industry, not only for sugar production but also for ethanol and other value-added products.

How easy is it today for Indian companies to invest in Cuba?

The investment climate has become far more flexible. We have strengthened our legal framework to protect foreign investors and introduced a single-window clearance mechanism to simplify procedures.

The Mariel Special Development Zone provides additional incentives for manufacturing, logistics and export-oriented industries. Foreign companies can establish joint ventures or wholly owned enterprises in several sectors. Our objective is to provide long-term stability and predictability for investors.

Tourism is another sector where Cuba enjoys a strong global reputation. How do you see Indian participation?

Tourism remains one of our strongest sectors. Cuba offers outstanding beaches, rich culture, heritage, music and one of the safest environments in the region. Before the pandemic, we welcomed nearly five million visitors annually.

We would like to see more Indian tourists discovering Cuba, but equally important is greater Indian investment in hotels, resorts and tourism infrastructure. Companies such as MGM Muthu Hotels have already demonstrated how successfully Indian hospitality can integrate into Cuba while catering to Indian travellers.