Russian MIR cards about to be activated for operations in Cuba

The cards using the Russian MIR payment system They are about to be activated for use in Cuba, as confirmed by official sources.

Although it has not been revealed when its activation will finally happen, the Russian ambassador in Havana, Andrei Guskov, assured that the Russian payment system "is about to be completed," as revealed in a note from the Russian agency.Sputnik.

"Its use should have apositive effect on increasing the flow of tourists Russians to the island," the diplomat acknowledged.

Guskov added that Havana is a "fundamental" partner of Moscow in the Latin American region.

"A considerable number of joint projects are being executed or developed. Work is in the final phase to launch the Antillana de Acero José Martí metallurgical plant, after its modernization," he toldSputnik.

According to Guskov, "formats are being discussed to implement the project for the construction of energy units at the local Máximo Gómez and Habana del Este thermoelectric plants."

He also recalled that Russian companies have been operating on the island for a long time, mainly the Russian oil company Zarubezhneft that works with the Cuban company Cupet.

The GAZ vehicle assembler is also installed in Cuba and produces its Gazel, Ural and PAZ automobiles from there.

Likewise, he expressed that they intend to create a commercial house specialized in the promotion of Russian products in the Cuban market.

In Guskov's opinion, relations with Cuba are part of a "process of reorientation of Russia towards partners in Asia, Africa and Latin America" that is gaining momentum.

To date, Mir cards are accepted in Turkey, Vietnam, South Korea, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.

He Cuba's interest in Russian cardsIt occurred after the American multinationals Visa and MasterCard suspended their operations in Russia - as a sanction to the government of Vladimir Putin for its invasion of Ukraine -, which prevents Russian citizens from paying with their cards abroad.

Last September it emerged thatMIR cardsThey could be operational on the island before the end of the year, but there is still no confirmation of when this could happen.

For the use of these means of payment in Cuba, the only thing missing was theterminal programming or post in which the operations can be carried out, the official said.