Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs co-chairs the 3rd Thailand - Cuba Consultations Meeting in Havana, Cuba

On 4 September 2025, Mrs. Sirilak Niyom, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs, co-chaired the 3rd Thailand - Cuba Consultations Meeting with Ms. Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, at the Protocol Residence in Havana, Republic of Cuba.

Both sides discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in areas of mutual interest and potential, including trade and investment, public health, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, biotechnology, and academic cooperation, especially in medical tourism, agriculture, and healthcare, as well as collaboration within multilateral frameworks. They also exchanged views on domestic and regional developments, including the Thailand - Cambodia situation, and suggestions for overcoming challenges and barriers to bilateral trade and investment. They also agreed to promote exchanges of high-level visits, especially in light of the upcoming 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Cuba in 2028, and to organize cultural events to celebrate this occasion and foster people-to-people ties. The Cuban side reaffirmed its invitation for Thailand to participate in the 41st Havana International Fair (FIHAV 2025), the largest and most significant trade exhibition in Cuba, scheduled to take place on 24-29 November 2025 in Havana.

In addition, the Deputy Permanent Secretary, together with Mr. Jak Chamikorn, Chairman and CEO of Wyncoast Industrial Park Public Company Limited, who joined the Thai delegation to explore business opportunities in Cuba, also held discussions with Mr. Antonio Luis Carricarte Corona, President of the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, and paid a courtesy call on Mr. Carlos Luis Jorge Méndez, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment of Cuba, to explore avenues for expanding bilateral trade and investment. The Cuban side encouraged the Thai side to consider using Cuba as a production base for exports to the Caribbean region, and invited Thai companies to participate in FIHAV 2025 to learn about Cuba's potential in various sectors. Meanwhile, the Thai side expressed interest in expanding food and agricultural exports to Cuba and invited Cuban companies to attend major trade exhibitions in Thailand. Thailand also sought support for Thai investment in renewable energy in Cuba.

The Thai delegation also had a discussion with Mr. Eulogio Pimentel Vázquez, Vice President of BioCubaFarma, a Cuban state enterprise overseeing the country's biopharmaceutical industry. Both sides welcomed the success of Abinis, a joint venture between Siam Bioscience (Thailand) and CIMAB (Cuba), which produces biopharmaceuticals in Thailand. The Thai side informed the Cuban side of the Government Pharmaceutical Organization's (GPO) interest in importing Cuban medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, such as Heberprot-P for diabetic foot ulcers, as well as the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand's plans to host a workshop inviting Cuban experts to share knowledge and expertise on diabetes treatment and family medicine. The Thai private sector representative also had a meeting with senior officials from Cuba's Ministry of Energy and Ministry of Transport, where the Cuban side welcomed Thai investment in renewable energy, particularly solar energy, as this will help address Cuba's current energy crisis and enhance the country's energy security, and invited the Thai private sector to participate in electric bus concession projects to improve its public transportation system.

This visit reflects the commitment of both countries to strengthen their bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of public health, trade, investment, science, technology, academic cooperation, and South - South cooperation, for mutual longterm benefit. Notably, the Thai side proposed to host the 4th Thailand - Cuba Bilateral Consultations in Thailand in 2028, to mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.