Latin American Summary, November 13, 2023.
The Havana International Fair included this Thursday for the first time an international forum of young entrepreneurs, which became a fruitful debate on experiences, good practices, knowledge acquired, common challenges and goals for future growth
As an important space for the exchange of direct experiences to explore potentials for collaboration and exchange that will allow us to continue contributing to the development of our nations, it has been cataloged by several of its participants, the 1st International Forum of Young Entrepreneurs, held as part of the activities took place for the first time on the 39th. Havana International Fair (Fihav2023).
About a hundred young entrepreneurs from all actors of the Cuban economy and from various sectors such as science, technology, innovation, informatics, communications, agriculture and others took part in the event, together with representatives of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Russia as well as Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico and Venezuela.
In the opening remarks, Israel Almeida Molina, specialist at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, pointed out that in the era of the fourth industrial revolution, the role of young people in the economy must be strengthened, as well as the strategic role of youth in the development of nations.
“Cuban youth is an essential part of its people and also possesses a flourishing creative entrepreneurial spirit, even in an unprecedented context characterized by the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States, a true siege that young Cubans are facing They would be able to better realize their potential and the full contribution they could make to society if such conditions of external harassment did not exist.
“Even in these circumstances, the new generations have come of age and responded with unprecedented creative resistance, as is the case with our young scientists, some of whom were involved in the development of the vaccines that saved the country,” he stressed.
In this day full of fruitful debates on experiences, good practices, lessons learned, common challenges and growth objectives for the future, the Uruguayan Matías Fernández, President of the Ibero-American Federation of Young Entrepreneurs, explained that the new generations are not the future , but the present of the economy, “Because we were born with technology and have a vision of justice for the world.” He also congratulated the Cuban initiative and assured that his organization will always support this event.
Also Julio Muñoz Castro, coordinator of the Legal Guarantees Line of the National Youth Council of Colombia, in welcoming participants to the meeting, emphasized that young people must have the capacity to promote development in their communities and that climate change represents a significant challenge “It is “It is necessary to focus more on life than on the economy,” he emphasized.
The forum emphasized that in the era of the fourth industrial revolution, the role of young people in the economy must be strengthened. Photos: Abel Rojas Barallobre
Among the topics covered, the presence of new generations in the areas of digital transformation, innovation, ethics and social responsibility stand out. In addition, the business environment was offered a gender perspective and an approach that takes into account its contribution to socio-economic development. Young Cubans dedicated to these sectors and leading small businesses presented their work on behalf of our economy at the panel discussions.
Carlos Miguel Pérez Reyes, president of the Cuban software development company Dofleini, pointed to his beginnings as a self-employed person in 2014 and that today, for example, his company has over 50 professionals with degrees from the most prestigious Cuban universities who have worked there, in the development of the platform of economic actors and the Cuban Business Guide.
For his part, Camilo Serrallonga, logistics director of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, explained that in this prestigious institution founded by Fidel, the project leaders are young people between 30 and 35 years old who work with experts. «Much of our research is based on the constant search for innovation and development. An example of this was the Abdala vaccine,” he said.
Also heard were the experiences of Fernando Suárez Concepción, General Director of EMSI Farma, dedicated to the automation of drug manufacturing processes in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and Ana Beatriz González of the University Foundation for Innovation and Development of the University of Havana.
This event, attended by Ana Teresita González Fraga, First Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, and Antonio Carricarte Corona, President of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, showed how much commitment and work there is in these young people who strive to make the nation prosperous.
Source: Rebel Youth