HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH CUBA

•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: 79 years•Infant mortality rate: 4.3 per 1,000 live births (2015)•Public health system: free, open and universal•Literacy rate: 99%•Education: free, public and universal•Human development index - 67 (2015) UNDP

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

Economic performance in 2015

• GDP growth 4%• 9,9 % growth in manufacturing industry• 11,9% construction sector• 16,9 % growth in sugar production• Tourists arrivals: 3 500 000 (17,3% growth)• 4% growth in electricity generation

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.

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.

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 issued by FAO, WTO and other international bodies.

•Adoption of INCOTERMS and use of documentary credits and similar instruments.

Cuba’s main trading partners in 2015

1. CHINA2. Venezuela3. Spain4. Canada5. Brazil

6. Mexico7. Italy8. Germany9. Argentina10. Netherland

Foreign trade by regions

America 52% Europe 28%

Asia 16%

Middle East, Africa & Oceania

4%

Doing business with Cuba

Identify the import-export company

A7 or D7 visa

Authentication & registration of documents

Supplier & customer catalogue

Agreements

• 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, orentering 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 p.a.

• US $50,000 capital stock.

Doing business with Cuba

Chamber of commerce of the Republic of CubaProfile

. 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 704 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.

Main services

•Investment and trade promotion

•Organiziation of 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.

Chamber of commerce of the Republic of Cuba

Main services

•Trade information and training activities for the member companies.

•Registration and certification.

• Legal assistance in international trade practice and investments.

Chamber of commerce of the Republic of Cuba

The Cuban Court of International Trade Arbitration,

attached to the Cuban Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba

International affiliation:

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)

Chamber of commerce of the Republic of Cuba

2016 Fairs & Exhibitions Calendar

3 – 7 May , International Tourism Fair (FITCUBA)20-24 June, International Convention of Industries (CUBAINDUSTRIAS) 1-16 December, International Crafts Fair

FIHAV 2016 - XXXIV Edition

31 October - 5 November 2016

HAVANA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR