What are the main sectors that Indian businesses can look at when it comes to investing in Cuba?

Cuba is continuing to bet on foreign investment as an important source for development, with a vision that encompasses practically all sectors of the economy. The opportunities for the Indian investors we have identified in the sectors of renewable energy, agriculture, food processing industry, Information and technology, mining, sugar cane industry, among others. Cuba maintains a favorable environment to encourage the entry of foreign capital. Among its attractions are: tax incentives; a safe and secure environment; a highly qualified labor force; political, social and legal stability; a secure and transparent legal framework; and its geographical location in the center of an expanding market in Central America and the Caribbean.

Likewise, all incoming investment is articulated with the Economic and Social Development Strategy until 2030, and for them actions continue to be generated, expanding and diversifying business opportunities, and facilitating their establishment.

The gradual recovery of the economy contributes to this purpose. The Portfolio of Business Opportunities with Foreign Investment, valued at more than 12.5 billion US dollars, increased the number of available projects to more than 700, which demonstrates Cuba’s willingness to increase the volume of investments in the country.

The new Business Opportunities Portfolio, which is broader and more diversified, seeks to attract foreign capital in a more proactive manner, facilitating business, eliminating bureaucracy and promoting new opportunities. The portfolio is also articulated with the economic and social development strategy approved by the Government.

Following its redesign, it has a more attractive and interactive visual environment and is available on the web platform www.inviertaencuba.mincex.gob.cu. It can be accessed from anywhere in the world.

The Mariel Special Development Zone (ZED), the first of its kind in Cuba, is another attraction for foreign companies wishing to set up in Cuba. It has a privileged geographic location, in the center of the Caribbean Sea, at the crossroads of the main maritime commercial traffic routes of the western hemisphere. ZED Mariel provides a world-class production and logistics platform for the establishment of companies, whose productions and services can be traded in the domestic market or exported, and will benefit from the regulatory framework, incentives and friendly business environment. Financial Times fDi magazine awarded ZED Mariel as winner in the category of Best Zone to Consider in the Future in the Best Global Zones of the year 2017 competition (GFZ17).

What kind of role has the Indian chambers of commerce played in promoting business with Cuba?

On both sides the role of Chambers of Commerce is fundamental. These institutions have the capacity to promote, stimulate, organize different commercial events, offer the necessary information to companies and put them in contact. In our case, we have had extremely positive experiences with entities such as the Indian Economic Trade Organization (IETO), Federation of Indian Export Organizations FIEO, Pharmexil, FICCI, PHD Chamber of Commerce and CII, among many others.

In the particular case of IETO and FIEO, I would like to highlight their role in organizing the Indian business delegations to the Havana International Fair and motivating an excellent exchange at the business level.

How critical is the role of the media in promoting relations between the two countries?

Our appreciation is that both in India and in Cuba, the media could be even more active in promoting the development of bilateral ties, making known the historical, social and cultural reality and current events of our countries and promoting the different aspects of business and cooperation that we have as potential. For our part, we have excellent working relationships with the main Indian news organizations, as well as the different clubs and press associations; and we are always open to working together and collaborating.

With some pride, we can say that the only Latin American and Caribbean media news permanently accredited in India is the Cuban press agency “Prensa Latina”. For many years there has been a permanent Prensa Latina correspondent residing in New Delhi, who plays a fundamental role in disseminating the diverse Indian news spectrum to Cuba and to the rest of the world.

Please shed some light on the cultural exchanges between the two countries?

Cultural exchange is a topic that motivates us because both Cuba and India are countries with a rich cultural heritage. In Cuba we have always started from an idea of our national hero Jose Marti that the only way to be free is to be cultured and educated. Therefore, education, like culture, constitutes universal and free rights of the people.

Indian culture is very highly appreciated in Cuba, where our people know and admire the traditions and history of India. In Havana you can find parks dedicated to the memory of the independence leader Mahatma Gandhi and the writer Rabindranath Tagore. Yoga, Indian cuisine and the practice of Ayurvedic medicine have also become widely spread. The Havana Panchakarma Center has been growing since its creation a few years ago and we maintain a collaboration with the Ministry of Ayush and the All India Institute of Ayurveda. Of course, the Indian music and film industry are very popular.

I would like to mention that we recently presented the book “Brief history of Cuba, from Columbus to the XXI century”, which has been possible to edit and print in India thanks to the generous support of the Federation of Indian Publishers and the print publication.

We also presented the “Patria Libro” (Homeland book) project simultaneously in Delhi and Havana, thanks to the cooperation with Eight Goal Foundation and Jose Marti Cultural Society. Patria Libro is a unique virtual library of its kind, a free and open access to the digital library inspired by José Martí and dedicated to Cuban literature.

I would like to announce the upcoming presentation in November in India of a Cuban cultural delegation led by the prestigious Cuban dance group “National Folkloric Ensemble”, they will perform in different moments the spectacle “The roots and the time”, which is a journey through the history and culture of Cuba.

What is your message to the people of India who want to travel to your country?

Traveling to Cuba can be geographically long, since we are almost at the other end of the globe and you have to cross the Atlantic Ocean. However, I can assure you that it is worth it and all the effort.

Visiting Cuba is a unique experience. Cuba is the pearl of the Antilles and Havana is a wonderful city, one of the most beautiful cities in the hemisphere. Cuba is an island full of beauty, history and culture. But above all, its greatest treasure is its people, their hospitality, joy and friendship, and also their dignity, generosity and sense of humanity and solidarity. Furthermore, Cuba shows a high level of social development and education, therefore you will find in Cuba a people who know, admire and enjoy the culture and history of India; and therefore appreciates India as a friendly country.

Therefore, I would recommend to the Indian visitors to connect themselves with the rhythm of the Cubansalsa music and let themselves be carried away by its rhythm to enter into the streets of Havana and to get lost in its history and traditions. Then driven by a Cuban Habano cigar and with the strength of a mojito, immerse yourself in the most crystalline waters and to finish riding into the valleys of intense green under the bluest sky you can find.

I would recommend enjoying the smiles of the Cuban people, knowing their history and dreams. Above all, I recommend continuing to build together the path of friendship between our peoples.