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Russia set to develop manufacturing facilities in Cuba — official

Cuba may become a "window" to Latin America for Russia

MOSCOW, June 21. /TASS/. Russia identified setup of production facilities and delivery of products as main areas of cooperation with Cuba, Deputy Industry Minister Georgy Kalamanov told TASS on Tuesday.

"Development of production facilities in the territory of the Republic and supplies of Russian products are goals of our cooperation with Cuba," Kalamanov said. The official leads the Russian delegation at Cubaindustria-2016 congress and exhibition opened on Monday.

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Cuba is "the market where we will work in the nearest future," Kalamanov said. The parties agreed upon a range of transactions, including supply of Kamaz trucks, he said. "We will see the first lot of Kamaz automobiles in Cuba by the year-end," the official added.

One more project is aimed at delivery of locomotives and rolling stock to Cuba and at establishment of a joint repair company there. Operation and service maintenance of Russian aircraft delivered to Cuba is also an important aspect of cooperation, the deputy minister said. "The main task now is to service these aircraft in cooperation with our Cuban counterparts," Kalamanov said. "The parties will agree upon the next list of projects actual within the framework of cooperation between Russia and Cuba in 2016 and 2017" in the coming future, the official said.

Cuba may become a "window" to Latin America for Russia, Kalamanov said. "We hope Cuba will be the hub for supplies of products to Latin America in certain areas," the official said. "It’s difficult to say now what products and what areas but Cuba has all ground and opportunities to become such a hub," he added.

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