Mini-Guide for Doing Business in Cuba:
Helpful Hints for U.S. Investors, Social Entrepreneurs, and Organizations
Prepared by members of the
Socially Responsible Enterprise and Local Development in Cuba Project*
March 23, 2015
Since the December 17, 2014 joint announcement by Cuba
and the U.S.A. that the two nations were re-establishing diplomatic relations,
there has been heightened interest from all business sectors over the prospects
of developing business relations with the island nation. Business opportunities
between Americans and Cubans will most certainly be plentiful, especially in
the long-term. However, the media frenzy has overlooked the inconvenient truth
that working in Cuba is still extremely difficult for foreigners, and will
remain so for a long time to come, especially for Americans. In an attempt to
shorten their learning curve and make their experience on the island more
rewarding and fruitful, we have developed this Mini-Guide to Doing Business
in Cuba. This guide provides newcomers wishing to establish business links
in Cuba – whether for profit, not for profit, hybrids, or as social
entrepreneurs - with realistic, practical and up-to-date information.
This Mini-Guide has been prepared by the
members of the Socially Responsible Enterprise and Local Development
in Cuba project, an international collaboration of experts on Cuban enterprises
and development. Though it is probable that the majority of U.S.-Cuba
entrepreneurial activity will be for-profit, Cuba’s national commitment to the
social and environmental well-being of its citizens will, nevertheless, require
that all business activity be undertaken with sensitivity and
accountability over its social and environmental impact. Above all, it is
important to remember that engagement with Cuba should be done in a mutually
respectful fashion that helps Cubans preserve and enhance the achievements of
their Revolution, while minimizing risk and safeguarding the goodwill and
limited capital of inspired American entrepreneurs.
Cuba and the U.S. are currently discussing the
reestablishment of diplomatic relations. But the complete normalization of
relations may take years to achieve and, in a number of fundamental
business-related areas, may require congressional approval in the U.S.
Moreover, the U.S. government has not yet approved general tourist travel to
Cuba. This means that the financial and commercial embargos, as well as
portions of the ban on travel by U.S. citizens, with all of their negative
consequences, are still very much in place. Fortunately, there have been two
Congressional Delegations to Cuba recently (January and February 2015),
signaling a broad support for, and interest in, normalizing business relations
and opening a path towards the entry of American business interests into the
island.
While the U.S. has made some progressive adjustments
to a number of pre- December 17 regulations, including increasing approved
travel categories and support for humanitarian efforts, a clear interpretation
of what these changes actually mean in practice is not yet fully defined. The
changes are being rolled out over time. Therefore, it is important to
continually analyze the regulatory framework for approved commercial
transactions and for travel before embarking on any potential business
opportunity.
ON THE CUBAN SIDE
While it is true that the Cuban government is in the
process of implementing important economic reforms that will create new
business opportunities, those seeking to profit from them must realize that Cuba
is fully committed to remaining a socialist state and it is not broadening
its business opportunities as a precursor to embracing capitalism. The overall
aim of reform is achieving a
“prosperous
and sustainable socialism”, not adopting free-wheeling capitalism. Business
people that want to do business in Cuba must respect the tenets of socialism,
be able to conduct business within
the
parameters of the state’s political ideology, and adapt to the quantity of
state control over business transactions that exist in Cuba today. Those things
are not likely change any time soon.
Mutual mistrust must also be overcome. In the U.S.A.
there are powerful pockets of support for sanction against Cuba, and in Cuba,
some remain highly suspicious and mistrustful of American motives. For example,
some Cubans on the island interpret President Obama’s recent changes to
U.S.-Cuba regulations as an extension of the U.S.’s historical covert
operations seeking ‘regime
change’. Both sides have good reason given decades of spy vs. spy shenanigans
and business people can expect a certain amount of wariness when they first
explore potential business opportunities.
All business deals between Cubans and foreigners, as
well as any formal business deals between Cubans themselves, are made with the
explicit knowledge and approval of the Cuban government. Moreover, normal
business inputs such as local capital, updated plant and equipment and broad
access to fast speed internet are not be readily available for foreign
projects. However, Cuba’s highly qualified human resources, more often than not
approved and facilitated by the state, are plentiful and eager to work. Be
prepared to invest more than the normal time you usually schedule for permits
because of the extended time necessary to receive appropriate bureaucratic
approvals and access to necessary infrastructure and supplies.
The Cuban government is not interested in attracting
foreign business for the sake of making money. On the island, there is neither
a consumer sovereignty traditions, nor an affluent consumer society with buying
power. Enterprises must have clear positive impacts on the population, the
environment, and on the economy, as defined by state entities, not
private enterprises. Corruption, though present, is seriously frowned upon and
punished with severe jail terms for local and international partners alike.
The Cuban government is
looking for large investments, not small efforts. Projects valued at under
several million dollars will have a very difficult time getting reviewed. Keep
in mind that the government bureaucracy that approves projects is very small
and highly centralized. You will need local assistance just to get to the
doorstep of the right government official. Even then, entry into his/her office
may never happen due to understaffing. Also, it is also extremely difficult for
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) to establish a physical presence in
Cuba, even after investing large sums of resources in building relationships
with local Cubans.
Entrepreneurs are generally self-confident “go get
‘em” types. However, when scouting out entrepreneurial opportunities in Cuba,
entrepreneurs will come to understand the depths of a popular and ubiquitous
Cuban expression – “No es facil / it’s not easy.” For their own health:
financial, physical and mental, American entrepreneurs in Cuba should check
their egos, and their preconceptions, at the airport gate, and be prepared to
learn a whole new way of doing things “a la Cubana,” the Cuban way.
CRITICAL DO’S AND
DON’TS
- Do your homework before you plan your visit. Given the U.S.’s fifty-five year embargo, many myths and falsehoods exist about Cuba. There is a lot of reading you need to do, starting with a careful scrutiny of the current U.S. government regulations for U.S. citizens and residents travelling to Cuba as well as any pending legal claim by U.S. citizens (including Cuban-Americans) on the property or sector you wish to enter.
- Americans have not been able to do business on the island for over five decades, but the Canadians, Europeans, Latin Americans, Israelis and Chinese, among others, have. Learn from their experiences and be aware that they will fight tooth and nail to protect their business interests. Moreover, Cuban officials already know them, and more often than not, trust them. American newcomers are not going into ‘virgin territory’; there will be tough competition when they come.
- There are many informative publications about current economic conditions and policies being implemented in Cuba, on U.S. regulations, and on legal claims. There is also literature on the business interests of foreign partners on the island. And of course you will never go wrong by brushing up on Cuban history in your effort to understand this truly singular society. A suggested bibliography is listed at the end of this guide.
- Make sure your business concept truly meets local social and economic needs as defined by the priorities of the Cuban government.
- Don’t assume the Cubans will be interested in your project, no matter how obviously good and relevant it seems to you. They operate under many constraints that are difficult for Americans to understand. It is crucial to listen carefully to what the Cubans actually want, and not impose what you think they should want.
- To start a project, it is imperative to first establish a relationship with a Cuban counterpart organization vetted by the government to work with foreigners. Don’t show up in Cuba without previous research and pre-established contacts with individuals and/or institutions.
- How to find a counterpart? Go to Cuba to visit, learn, and explore. Seek out and participate in a Cuban conference in your area or sector of interest. Such travel should be much easier under the adjusted U.S. travel regulations. In this way you can make initial contacts and check out the local state of knowledge of your intended business in a manner that is cost effective. Often, there is more transparency in a conference setting, especially when sponsored by a university or an academic association.
- After the initial exploratory visit on a tourist visa, and in order to establish a formal business relationship, you will need to travel to Cuba again under a business visa. Make sure you get the appropriate visa. In many cases government officials will not talk to you if you only have a tourist visa.
·
Don’t
think you will somehow figure out how to get around the rules of the game set
forth by the Cuban
government. You may do so temporarily, but never for long.
- Don’t, under any circumstance, accept funding from USAID or any of its contractors. In Cuba such support is tantamount to announcing you are working for regime change. Your venture will end right there.
- By all means enjoy the beauty, history, and uniqueness of the place. Get to know the warm, humorous, proud and well-educated Cuban people. Take the time to smell the gardenias in what may well be a once-in-a-lifetime experience at an unprecedented time in history. Increase your tolerance for contradictions and don’t forget to have fun.
* Socially
Responsible Enterprise and Local Development in Cuba Project (SRELDC) -
Launched in 2008
with support from the Christopher Reynolds Foundation, SRELDC’s principal
objective is to understand and assist Cuban efforts to preserve the social
achievements of the Revolution while creating a prosperous and sustainable
economy. Over time, with crucial support from the Avina Foundation, the
initiative has expanded into an international Consortium of participants. This
group is comprised primarily of organizations and individuals from Argentina,
Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Mexico and Spain. During the same
period, the Consortium has developed strong relations with a variety of
institutions in Cuba including universities, government agencies, and
non-profit organizations. Without such partnerships, successful programs would
not be feasible. In the U.S., SRELDC operates in affiliation with the Green
Cities Fund, a 501(c)(3) organization focused on international development
issues. No funding has been accepted, nor will be sought, from the U.S.
government or its subcontractors.
For more information, contact Eric Leenson
at eleenson@soleconomics.com
SUGGESTED
RESOURCES ON THE CUBAN ECONOMY AND U.S. REGULATIONS
WEBSITES
U.S. Treasury Department:
Sanctions:
Sanctions:
Sanctions FAQ: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/cuba.aspx#cuba_new
as of 3/11/2015
Cuba
FAQ: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-
center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_faqs_new.pdf
as of 3/11/2015
Embargo
FAQ: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Documents/tab4.pdf
as of 3/11/2015
Travel
Restrictions: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-
center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/testimonycubatravel.pdf
as of 3/11/2015
U.S. Commerce Department:
http://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/ as of 3/11/2015
SOL Economics: http://soleconomics.com/cuba/ as
of 3/11/2015
The Cuban Economy: http://thecubaneconomy.com/
as of 3/11/2015
Cuba News: http://www.cubanews.com/ as
of 3/11/2015
Cuban News Agency: http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/
as of 3/11/2015
Cubadebate: http://www.cubadebate.cu/ as
of 3/11/2015
NEWSLETTERS
Center
for the Study of Democracy in the Americas http://www.democracyinamericas.org/about- cda/subscribe-to-the-cuba-central-news-blast/ as of 3/11/2015
Cuba page http://www.democracyinamericas.org/cuba/
as of 3/11/2015
Betancourt,
Rafael and Pérez Villanueva, Omar Everleny. “Analysis of the Portfolio of
Opportunities for Foreign investment in Cuba”, Cuba Study Group, and
fromtheisland.org: http://www.cubastudygroup.org/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=dcd5881c-b5ed-4bd6-954b- 694f392e8bd4 as of
3/11/2015
Feinberg,
Richard– Series on Cuban Economy http://www.brookings.edu/search?start=1&q=Richard+Feinberg
as of 3/11/2015
Sagebien,
Julia & Spadoni, Paolo “Dealing with the New Cuba”, Ivey Business Journal,
Jan.- Feb. 2015 http://iveybusinessjournal.com/dealing-with-the-new-cuba/
as of 3/11/2015
Sagebien,
Julia & Leenson, Eric. “Cuban Remix”, Stanford Social Innovation Review,
Winter 2015 http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/cuban_remix
as of 3/11/2015
BOOKS
Spadoni,
Paolo. “Cuba’s Socialist Economy Today: Navigating Challenges and Change”
(2014) Lynne Rienner Publishers
Ritter,
Archibald R.M. and Henken, Ted A. “Entrepreneurial Cuba: The Changing Policy
Landscape” (2014) First Forum Press, a division of Lynne Rienner Publishers
