On 13 October, Minister-president Geert Bourgeois held a meeting with Cuba’s Minister of Culture Abel Prieto.
In September, hurricane Irma left a path of destruction at Cuba. Today rebuilding efforts are being undertaken. Also the cultural sector resumes its activities, according to the Cuban Minister of Culture: “37 of the 38 art schools are working again and the international festivals for film and ballet in Havana will continue.”
Culture stays an important matter in Cuba. It’s an important instrument of Cuban foreign policy. That’s why Abel Prieto calls for a cultural agreement between Cuba and Flanders.
In 2016 , Geert Bourgeois led the first Flemish trade mission to Cuba since 2001. This mission resulted in two major contracts for the Flemish dredging companies DEME and Jan De Nul in Cuba. Cooperation with APEC, the Antwerp / Flanders Port Training Center has also been strengthened. This partly thanks to the Cuban port professionals who participated in APEC training.