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MINSK, 10 January (BelTA) - Cuba is ready to step up contacts with Belarus in biotechnology, agriculture and industry, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cuba to Belarus Gerardo Suarez Alvarez said at a press conference to mark the 58th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution on 10 January, BelTA has learned.

“We cooperate with Belarus in the field of biotechnology and are ready to expand this interaction,” the diplomat said. Last year, during a visit to Cuba the Belarusian delegation discussed the matters related to the registration of Cuban medicines in Belarus.

In addition, Belarus and Cuba successfully cooperate in the treatment of diabetes. “Belarus has tested the Cuban drug against the diabetic foot syndrome, which has no analogues in the world. It is already used in hospitals,” said Gerardo Suarez Alvarez.

He also expressed confidence that this year Belarus and Cuba will expand interaction in industry, for example the cooperation with Gomselmash.

The Cuban side is interested in using the Belarusian experience in agriculture. In particular, Cuba is now exploring possible contacts with Belarus in the agricultural industry.

The Ambassador believes that Belarus and Cuba will strengthen contacts in science, especially in view of the fact that this year has been declared the Year of Science in Belarus.

The Cuban diplomat expressed confidence that Cuba and Belarus will reach a new level of cooperation in 2017. He also spoke about the current situation in Cuba. The U.S. economic embargo on Cuba still remains to be a big problem for the country. Despite it, education and medical care are free in Cuba. The Ambassador stressed that Cuba hopes to attract foreign investment. In 2017 Cuba will be working on boosting the economic potential to expand support for the social sector.