Cuba's economy grew moderately in 2012 and targets further growth in key sectors in 2013. Cuba has a state-controlled economy and is highly dependent on foreign trade, conducting trade through specialized import-export companies. The Chamber of Commerce of Cuba promotes Cuban trade and investment and provides services to its 687 member companies. Cuba participates in international trade organizations and holds several annual trade fairs.

1. Cuba: economic performance and
business environment

2. •Official name: Republic of Cuba
•Capital: Havana
•Official language: Spanish
•National day: 1st January
•Area: 110,992 sq. km
•Population: 11.2 million
•Average life expectancy at birth: 78 years
•Infant mortality rate: 4.9 per 1,000 live births (2011)
•Public health system: free, open and universal
•Literacy rate: 98%
•Education: free, public and universal

3. ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS: 168 BOROUGHS
(INCLUDING THE ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD SPECIAL
BOROUGH) IN 15 PROVINCES
MAIN CITIES: HAVANA, SANTIAGO DE CUBA,
HOLGUÍN, CAMAGUEY and SANTA CLARA

4. Economic performance in 2012
•GDP growth 3.1%, compared with a planned
3.4%
•2% growth in the farming sector
•4.4% growth in manufacturing industry
•5.0% growth in transport & communications
•5.9% growth in trade
•20% growth in sugar production

5. •GDP growth: 3.7%
•Farming sector growth: 4.5 %
•Manufacturing industry growth: 4.7 %
•Sugar production up by 21.7%
•Capital investment up by 34 %
Forecast key indicators and targets
for 2013

6. •Growth in visitor arrivals:8.5%; tourism
sector revenues up by 12.5 %
•Growth in labour productivity: 2.6 %
Forecast key indicators and targets
for 2013

7. •Continue the process of updating Cuba’s economic
model, including non-state enterprise management
regimes, with the aim of boosting the country’s
economic growth and raising our people’s standard of
living.
•Implement a gradual, controlled process designed to
separate state and business functions.
•Progress application of the comprehensive strategy
for exporting services, diversifying markets and
enhancing export potential with higher value added,
technological content and quality.
Forecast key indicators and targets
for 2013

8. Foreign trade
•Cuba’s economy is open and highly
dependent on foreign trade.
• Foreign trade is conducted via import and
export companies specialized by product
sector.
•Trade is carried on with over 3,000 foreign
firms.

9. Foreign trade
•Cuba is a signatory of the UN (Vienna) Convention
on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods; it
is a founder member of GATT and belongs to the
WTO.
•There are no import quotas.
•All products that enter Cuba must be declared to
customs and are subject to inspection.

10. Foreign trade
•Banning of items as imports or exports reflects the
provisions GATT Art. 20 (narcotics and similar
sustances, arms etc.).
•Public health and phytosanitary regulations are
consistent with the relevant international
conventions and the regulations published by FAO,
WTO and other international bodies.
•Adoption of INCOTERMS and use of documentary
credits and similar instruments.

11. Foreign trade by region*
América 55%
Middle East, Africa &
Oceania 3%
Europe 27%
Asia 15%
*2012 data

12. Cuba’s main trading partners
in 2012
Our main trading
partners include
Venezuela, China,
Spain, Canada,
the Netherlands,
Brazil, Mexico,
Italy, Algeria and
the Russian
Federation

13. Doing business with Cuba
Agreements
Identify the import-
export company
A7 or D7 visa
Authentication &
registration of
documents
Supplier & customer
catalogue
Bidding

14. •A base and/or registration in Cuba are not required
of foreign firms trading with Cuba.
•A foreign firm wishing to establish a commercial
presence may opt for:
 opening a foreign mercantile company branch, or
 entering into a mercantile company agency
agreement
•Requirements for opening a branch, under Decree
206 of 1996:
• 5 years’ existence in the country of origin.
• 3 years’ stable dealings with Cuba involving a
volume of business with Cuban firms worth
at least US $500,000 per year.
• US $50,000 capital stock.
Doing business with Cuba

15. . A national, public-law institution, formed under
Cuban law in 1963. Its mission is to promote the
development of its member companies to the
benefit of the national economy.
• Voluntary membership. It has 687 affiliated
companies, operating in foreign trade, including
producers, marketing concerns, importers and
exporters of goods and services.
• It is a not-for-profit body funded by the
subscriptions of its member companies and fees
for the services it provides.
Profile
Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of
Cuba

16. Chamber of commerce of the Republic of
Cuba
Main services
•Promoting investment projects prioritized by
the state, and Cuban visible and invisible
exports.
•Organizing trade fairs, exhibitions and trade
missions in Cuba and in markets abroad;
drawing up personalized working agendas for
foreign entrepreneurs wishing to explore the
Cuban market.

17. •Trade information and training activities for
the member companies.
•Registration and certification.
•Advising on the legal aspects and practices
of international trade.
Chamber of commerce of the Republic
of Cuba
Main services

18. The Cuban Court of International
Trade Arbitration, attached to the
Cuban Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of commerce of the Republic
of Cuba

19. Chamber of commerce of the Republic
of Cuba
International affiliations:
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
World Trade Center Association (WTCA)
Bureau International des Expositions (BIE)
Asociación de Ferias Internacionales de América
(AFIDA)
Caribbean Association of Industry & Commerce (CAIC)
Global Standard 1 (GS1)

20. 2013 trade fair & exhibition calendar,
Cuba
14-24 February 22nd International Book Fair
25-31 March 15th International Agricultural Fair
18-22 March INFORMATICA 2013 (15th
International IT Convention & Fair)
14-24 May 23rd International Tourism Fair
10-12 June EXPOMATANZAS
3-9 November Havana International Trade Fair, FIHAV
December 17th International Crafts Fair

21. 21ST FIHAV, 2013
3-9 November 2013
HAVANA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

22. Thank
you!