A high-ranking British official voiced his country's interests in boosting cooperation in energy and agriculture with Cuba on Wednesday, the second day of the Business Forum being held in Havana, according to the Cuban News Agency (ACN).

Brian Wilson, business ambassador of the British Trade and Investment Office (UKTI) and president of the Britain-owned Havana Energy company, said both sides have identified many potential areas of cooperation in diverse economic sectors.

Wilson stressed that agriculture and renewable energy represented the two most important areas to resume bilateral cooperation for now, as Cuba needs to increase food output and develop new energy sources.

Cuba and Britain are constructing a plant to process sugarcane waste into energy, as part of the strategic partnership between Havana Energy and Zerus, affiliated to Azcuba, a state-run sugar industrial group.

Next to the Ciro Redondo sugar factory in central province of Ciego de Avila, the plant is expected to be operational by 2016, Wilson said.

He stressed that Cuba's current economic reforms increase opportunities for foreign businesses, through such projects as the Mariel Special Development Zone at the Port of Mariel.

Wilson said investing in Mariel Special Development Zone is very attractive for foreign companies, "and we are analyzing in which sectors and projects to be involved."

The forum will end on Thursday with the expected signing of agricultural agreements between Cuba and Britain.