The director of the Bureau of Special Zone Development Mariel (OZEDM), Ana Teresa Igarza , gave a press conference yesterday , where she provided data on applications for companies interested in investing in that area.
Since the office opened in November last year, 138 potential investors have approached the OZEDM. Of these, 72 made direct applications to invest in the area and 66 were entrepreneurs interested in receiving information.
They are currently getting 35 proposals, 17 are being analized and 20 have been declined for not being consistent with the policy that the Office seeks to promote. The OZEDM interest is to promote investment in the infrastructure of the area itself, biotechnology, renewable industry, computing, agriculture, containers and packaging and pharmaceutical products.
Of the proposals that they are working on 46% are from Western Europe, 29% from Central and South America, Asia 17% and 8% in Eastern Europe. In terms of countries stand out: Spain , Italy , Russia, Brazil , China, Viet Nam , Chile, Dominican Republic , Panama , Mexico and Canada.
The 23 % of companies in the process of opening are in the business of packaging, 27% are related to light industry, 18% in the chemical industry and 18% for iron and steel, while 14% are related to construction.
Meanwhile, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Antonio Carricarte, explained that the new policy for foreign investment is already approved and is in the process of analysis to present the proposed new Foreign Investment Law to the National Assembly of Power popular sometime in the first half of this year.
Anyway, he said, investment in ZEDM is open for individuals or corporations, from any country, including Cubans living in Cuba or abroad. All proposals will be analyzed in the same manner and adopted those considered in line with the development policy established for the area.
The Director of the Office clarified that so far they have been approached by only one Cuban-American to receive information on business opportunities in the Mariel Development Zone.
