CubaPLUS Magazine

If we can talk about magnificent relations between countries, it is essential to mention the ties that unite Cuba and Canada, for 79 years today, when on March 16, 1945 The first diplomatic mission of that North American nation was established on the Caribbean island. Since then to date a lot has rained, however relations have been maintained unscathed, which has been demonstrated in the countless events that have occurred, characterized those links throughout these almost eight decades.

It all began in the 18th century, when ships from the Canadian provinces with Atlantic coasts traded and bartered cod and beer for rum and sugar. Then was the establishment of the diplomatic mission in the Cuban capital. Bilateral relations, both political, commercial and cooperation, are based on mutual respect, commitment to open dialogue, cooperation and the advancement of trade and investments.

In fact, Canada has always focused relations with the largest of the Antilles without restrictions, with all elements of Cuban society: the government, the businesses, non-governmental organizations and civil society. Canada supports a future for Cuba that embraces the fundamental values of freedom, democracy, human rights and law enforcement and has always recognized the great commitment of the island with respect to economic and social rights, particularly important achievements in health and education.

In the economic sphere, the North American nation maintains a commercial and well-established and significant investment in the island´s economy. It is worth noting that in 2022, according to official figures the commercial exchange reached the figure of one thousand 200 million dollars, more than 20 percent growth with respect to the previous year, while in the section of Direct investment ranks second, particularly in mining, energy, oil and gas, as well as some in renewable energy, agriculture/heavy equipment and tourism.

To do this, measures protect Canadian investors conducting legitimate business in Cuba, through the promulgation of the Foreign Extraterritorial Measures Law (1985) and subsequent orders. If these figures are significant, the records of Canadian tourists that each year visit Cuba. Precisely since 1994, that country has been in first place as an emitter of tourism to the largest of the Antilles and in 1996 it was achieved for the first time exceded one million visitors.

In 2019, the arrival of tourists to this destination was one million 120 thousand, just over one third of the total foreign visitors registered in this destination. It is known that the Pandemic that hit the world for around four years, affected greatly the so-called industry without chimneys and, therefore, tourism was one of the main victims due to the well-known necessary isolation. However, the island is already registering a gradual recovery and from 2022, tourism shows those results.

Suffice it to point out that in that year, the number of Canadians who visited Cuba exceeded 950 thousand visitors, an increase well above the other source markets. In recent statements to this magazine, the Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, expressed his optimism regarding the recovery of the sector, while estimating that this year, Canadian tourism is expected to exceed one million visitors, evidence of the degree of friendship and trust that continues to unite the people of both nations.