Since 2008, the Brazilian Agency of Export Promotion and Investment, Apex-Brazil, has had a Business Center in Havana. In this time, the bilateral commerce has increased 9.2%, and at the end of 2013, reached 624 million dollars. Such sums place the South American country as Cuba´s second largest business partner on the continent and among the top five worldwide. São Paulo and the Cuban capital were united last July with a direct airline route, which implies increased fluidity and speed in the exchanges. Without a doubt, the Mariel Special Development Zone is the main joint project, where Brazil is the largest investor; of 900 million dollars. According to Hipólito Rocha, the general director of Apex-Brasil, there is great growth potential on the island for business ties between the two countries. At the end of March, a Brazilian delegation with representatives from 32 businesses traveled to Havana. What were the most important results of this meeting? Did they come to some agreement? I saw the Brazilian intention as very positive, there is a lot of expectation. This mission was on a level of business prospection, in the productive installation of Mariel as well as the market polling; for the business representatives...

The Cuban economy is identified by its openness; ie, depends heavily on imports and exports. In such a way, that condition makes it more vulnerable to international circumstances, mainly regarding the status of its closest trading partners. According to José Luis Rodríguez, Advisor to the Research Center of World Economics (ICES), is a situation in which most countries recorded growth in 2013 below the previous year, confirming a downward trend. This happened in Venezuela, the main destination and origin of Cuba's foreign trade. Its GDP increased 5.6 percent in 2012; however, ended December with 1.2 percent, plus an internal inflation of 54 percent. "Without doubt, this has implications for all economic and social activity," Rodriguez said. The same applies to Spain, which again decreases over the past year, and during 2014 a small increase is expected. In the case of China, although it has a comparatively favorable rate (7.5 percent) also shows levels of deflation. To this we must add a change in its growth model oriented for a more domestic market and less investment, which implies a lower external demand for raw materials and fuels. It has been said that the 2.7 percent increase in Cuban GDP was lower...

Tractors, bulldozers, lefts, cranes… a whole range of industrial heavy equipment takes over Pabexpo’s showroom, the stage for the 10th International Construction Fair. This event is an invitation for professionals in this field to exchange and show advanced technologies and to boost business opportunities and work contracts. The event covers different areas within the construction sphere: lighting, equipment and machinery, decoration, engineering and projects, hydraulics, tools and hardware, energy, informatics and communications, construction solutions, commercialization and woodwork. A total of 160 firms (132 foreigners and 28 Cubans), coming from 23 nations, occupy 4 158 square meters. Among the national participants there are enterprises form Havana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Las Tunas and Ciego de Avila provinces. IMECO, a company for the import and export of construction supplies, is making hard efforts to diversify autochthonous productions in the international market and to maintain operations with Venezuela, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, China, Mexico and Bolivia. “Our interest at this Fair is to promote our work and show foreign investors their possibilities in hiring us”, explained Mayra Cura, operations director of the Construction Design and Engineering Business Group (GEDIC by its acronym in Spanish). This Group has three enterprises working on Mariel’s Special Development Zone and...

“Nothing”, that was the answer many students gave when Maria Cristina Sevilla asked them what they knew of accounting. She is a university professor, but this time the room was occupied by self-employed, enrolled in the course Manage your business, that is been offered by the Information Technologies and Advanced Telematic Services, CITMATEL, Enterprise. The initiative is accompanied by software by the same name, which allows entrepreneurs to record and track their income and expenses as well as the products and / or services provided, in addition to calculating their taxes. This tool, created by the institution itself, can be adapted according to the activity in question, which allows it also to be used by non-agricultural cooperatives. Sevilla believes that the program is easy, almost intuitive. By using it streamlines math operations, minimizes errors and saves time. When necessary, users can configure it according to the transformations occurring around the business and its legal framework. From the input data, the system provides the ability to generate reports, print or export to PDF, for those who prefer to read and store results this another way. The software provides a personalized management, who is responsible for that work accesses it by a...

If one asks you what the most famous district of Havana is, probably you will not hesitate to respond. Avenues, gardens, houses, cinemas, theaters, shops and hotels, make it a crucial stage of economic, social and cultural life of the city. The Cuban art researcher Llilian Llanes (*) also fascinated by its charm, rescued an old project that has now become her book "El Vedado of general and doctors." Llanes addresses the architectural and urban values , historic and symbolic dimension of this residential area. In the words of critic and curator Nelson Herrera Ysla, who was responsible for the presentation of the volume, Vedado is an odd example of eclecticism in the typical environments of city dwellers in the country. That " succession of porches and trellises , columns , balustrades , staircases, porcelain or stone pillars , side towers and lookouts , gabled roofs , tiled roofs , making it a showcase of our rich cultural diversity , plurality of tastes and our vocations, our cosmopolitan and universal attitude. " The graphic design of Jorge Rodriguez, editing by Deborah de la Paz and photography by Pedro Abascal complete this work, which includes a selection of cartoons, images and...

Dick Cluster wanted to turn Havana into a book, and he made his goal to "explore" the city: walking, asking, biking and on buses called “camels”, filled with all the things that had fascinated him when he lived here. The result is “The History of Havana," a social story of the capital from its foundation until today, written at four hands with Rafael Hernandez, editor of the magazine Temas. But his true profession is that of translator. His sympathy towards Cuba and passion for the work has taken him to collaborate with Josefina de Diego, Raúl Aguiar, Mirta Yáñez, and more recently, Abel Prieto, Mylene Fernandez, Aida Bahr , Pedro Jesus , among other authors of the Island Inserting Cuban literature in the United States is no easy task, especially when there translations face certain prejudices, to the point that represent only three percent of all titles. There are also stereotypical views that paint Cuba as a paradise of dancing and partying , or with the nostalgia of the 50s and 60s . The transition from one language to another involves linguistic and cultural terms, through popular and local uses and puns . For example, " leaders " , that...

With the adoption in 2012 of the 113 Act of the Tax System, and its implementation in early 2013, a process of fiscal and financial organization begins ranging from population to institutions. Professor Saira Pons, expert of the Centre for the Study of the Cuban Economy, deepens about these current issues in taxation. ES: The tax law was one of the first to be applied in the context of changes in the country: do you think it was at the right time? SP: I think so. The development of tax systems in any society depends on how the property is distributed. In the case of Cuba, the dominance of state ownership and centralized management of resources through planning gave the tax system a minor role. As state funding mechanism, it lost importance due to the possibility of also capturing profits after tax and price differentials. On the other hand, since they were not extended to market relations, it didn’t make sense as a regulatory instrument of the behavior of companies and citizens. When the expansion of the non-state sector and new forms of property management begins, the state loses its ability to directly control these resources. There is greater uncertainty...

The Biotechnological and Pharmaceutical Industries Business Group, known as Biocubafarma, was created just over a year ago. Previously there were the experiences of the Scientific Polo and Quimefa, the two parent institutions, the merger resulted in this Superior Business Management Organization (OSDE), a kind of holding. Its objectives were defined from the outset: to maintain and raise the standards of health and quality of life in the Cuban population, and to become a source of capital and exports from all the accumulated scientific potential. In general, the organization is dedicated to developing strategies, technologies, products and assistance for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of multiple ailments. "What makes us different from a traditional multinational or any biotech and pharmaceutical company,” Norkis Arteaga, head of the Department of Business explained, 'is precisely the impact on health. We work closely with the Ministry of Public Health, in complex interventions; perform therapeutic guidelines to apply to patients. " Biocubafarma manufactures more than 500 drugs, and among biotechnology products and projects they total 91: 33 for cancer, 18 for cardiovascular diseases, 33 vaccines against infectious diseases, and 7 drugs to combat diabetes and other ailments. The numbers confirm the prestige of these sectors internationally....

The natives are reputed to be very educated and cultured. They call it "The Camagüey" the city of Avellaneda and Nicolás Guillén, Ignacio Agramonte and Fidelio Ponce de León. Its founding charter disappeared forever in a fire or looting, but every February 2 they celebrated the birth in 1514 of the former village of Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe. The great event awakens desires for beauty and improvement everywhere. One of the leading projects is the Paseo de los Cines (Movie Theaters Promenade) , where El Encanto and Casablanca will reopen, which at a time werethe highest grossing theaters in the country, after Yara and Payret, architect Yosmel Diaz says. They also restored the video room Nuevo Mundo, first founded in Cuba that will host the "Tomás Gutiérrez Alea" Thought Chair. Nearby there is a bar which recreates the atmosphere of the "Ritz", named after the famous movie by Michael Curtiz. The Fotograma cultural center will be dedicated to the music in the film, while the sidewalks outside simulate a tape of 35 mm, and several billboards are reminiscent of cinema personalities. Part of the Camagüey historical area, the largest in the island, with 300 hectares, was declared a...

After a year of implementation, Law 113 of the Tax System continues gradually applied in pursuit of an essential tax order. At the pace the economic conditions of the country sets, its implementation brings several new features for 2014. Since January 8, the usual process of Personal Income Tax is taking place. This category excludes remittances, retirement and welfare benefits. As last season, taxpayers can settle until April 30, and those that do so before February 28 receive a bonus of 5 percent. The discount and the extension of the term of payment (60 to 120 days) are some benefits of the new regulation. This year the National Tax Administration Office (Onat) will supervise all returns filed, while in the previous fiscal year only about a third was revised. This points out to one of the main objectives of the legislation: to encourage tax discipline and culture, taking into account irregularities and evasions occurred during 2013. Taxes on profits payable by legal entities on land transport, property of marine vessels also include stimuli, although their deadlines vary. According to the Professor Saira Pons, expert of the Centre for the Study of the Cuban Economy, one of the novel aspects of...

March brings spring and expectations. Around that time the Cuban National Assembly will vote on the new law on foreign investment. One of the fundamental transformations seems to be the concept itself: foreign capital would no longer be just a complement, but will have a more proactive role in the economy. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) proposes a package of future opportunities for interested investors. According to José Reinaldo Daniel, director of business of MINTUR, the main types are joint ventures for building hotels, and for real estate projects associated with golf courses, as well as management contracts and hotel marketing and franchises in other countries of famous Cuban restaurants. Also, there are five areas of development which seeks to direct resources, technology and knowhow. Cienfuegos is one of them, including Rancho Luna and Pasacaballos. The Pearl of the South is known for its architectural and heritage values , besides its beautiful bay, with 88 square miles and over 10 miles of coastline. Based on these attributes, the idea to enhance this pole is to offer a city product of high standard, complemented by the cruise industry and nautical activities. Trinidad city and the nearby Ancon peninsula s also...

The current Cuban economic scenario invites new players. The search for efficiency and competitiveness goes beyond big business and traditional sectors, to summon the local entrepreneurial initiative to efficiently work. That is the way Sambacuba operates, a cooperative in formation focused on the area of ​​recreational, cultural, sports and quality of life services. Its name comes from an intention to approach and exchange with Brazil, exploiting the attractions of this country and its good relations with Cuba. The project includes an academy for teaching rumba and samba, a capoeira workshop, spaces for fashion, traditions and practicing cricket. Felix Durruthy, creator of the proposal, explains that while transiting the final approval stage, it still remains to determine where its facilities shall be located. The recreation centers José Antonio Echeverría and Julio Antonio Mella are basic choices, which infrastructure will also allow having a swimming pool, spa, cafes, and volleyball, tennis and soccer fields. Meanwhile, inserting Sambacuba in Plaza or Playa municipalities, as its final location, foresees significant contributions to local development. From the economic point of view, it could be coordinated with nearby rent houses, as another offer for guests. Durruthy also thinks it would be a variant of much interest...

Much has been said about self-employment. For example, it is said that most of the investment for these enterprises comes from relatives living outside Cuba. Meanwhile, the work here is mostly divided among couples, siblings, cousins. These perceptions gave rise to the study by sociologist Denisse Delgado about remittances, self-employment and family dynamics are intertwined. The research process focused on ¨paladares¨ (private restaurants) of Havana’s Vedado neighborhood, by being located in the municipality with the biggest amount of such businesses in the city and the country, and in turn by belonging to the remittances recipient largest province. According to data provided in August this year by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, food processing and sale is one of the most requested licenses, with 13 percent, indicating a high concentration in the gastronomic field. In this context, the researcher realizes how relationships between subjects living in Cuba and their loved ones abroad are reinforced, as remittances take a different meaning: they are not only to satisfy basic consumption needs, but are a boost to family enterprises. These transfers must be understood beyond money: they comprise supplies and goods such as equipment, food, products, including mobile phone recharge. The Havana...

The winery is quiet, the smell permeates everything. Each tight barrel hides its own stories, as a pirate chest. You feel like stepping closer to listen, to try to see what happens there with ultraviolet sight. If anyone knows of this and other mysteries is Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Master of Cuban rum. “I imagine that when they ground the first sugar cane, a week after the first alcohol was born out of it. It is not registered, but I am totally convinced of it" he jokes on those early origins, following Columbus' second voyage to the island. Back then it was a rough sea drink until in Santiago de Cuba in 1862 they witnessed the emergence of the so-called light rum. This heritage passed on from generation to generation, like a nobility title, although each new teacher must demonstrate for long that he deserves it. 'You have to go internalizing the responsibility of being a custodian, trustee of a national heritage that must be preserved and in turn transmit it to the young generation. “They will not only get the learning, but the liquid itself aging in barrels, made by his predecessors. It will be eight, ten, twelve years of...

Canadian anthropologist Alexandrine Boudreault-Fournier comes to Cuba for the second time to investigate how digital technologies have impacted in Cuban music with MusDig project, led by Professor Georgina Born, from Oxford University, UK. A few years ago she was on the island for her PhD thesis on urban culture in Santiago de Cuba province. Six specialists chose countries with different levels of development: Kenya, Argentina, India, Canada ... The goal was to approach the music consumption, dissemination and production, together with the cultural changes that were born with digitalization, and then draw comparisons, crossed and parallel lines. Then Alexandrine came to Cuba again due to she has felt for a long time ago a great attraction for its artistic wealth, its differences with Latin America and the rest of the world. "When you start to study on a site, you partially become more interested, now it is like the research place that I’ve liked the most." Cuban everyday life was so striking for her, that wh en seeing in the street buyers and sellers of copied CDs, who are in addition authorized to do so, she said, "That's my topic, forget about anything else." Fieldwork was intense. From January to...

It is the first time that David Hill comes to Cuba. He had a good trip, about two weeks with just a small stop. He had already booked the excursion to Viñales , and chose for tomorrow the Havana Highlights route. David is one of the 1,200 passengers who arrived very early to board the British Thomson Dream cruise, operated by the TUI group, one of Cuba’s main partners in international tourism. Thus began the season of this modality in the country, during which 125 cruise arrivals are envisaged. That figure represents a significant growth, according to Jose Manuel Bisbet , commercial director of the Ministry of Tourism. Now for next week a ship from the United States is expected and one from Canada. The Thomson Dream will return to Cuba in 2015, and will touch Cuban ports six times between January and April. The reception of the boat is provided by the Cubatur travel agency, which this time offers a package of visits to Guama, Viñales Valley, Tropicana, Cabaret Parisien, and the 9 PM cannon shot ceremony, the Havana’s colonial environment and Havana night. The itinerary is always subject to change, taking into account the interest of the cruise...

“If we look at the concept, culture is everything and, therefore, the economy is also part of it, and vice versa. They have such a direct relationship that becomes very attractive field. “Johannes Abreu , PhD in Economics and Art industries specialist , explains on how cultural issues have become of key interest for him. In his view, the communicating vessels between the two spheres claim that the current transformations are carried out in parallel, integrated and balanced way. How can you see them, what would these industries of art in Cuba be? That is related to the social function of goods and services derived from this type of production, with how people see social transformation from artistic expressions. Craft industries have to do with the whole process, from creation to consumption, and what happens there in interests and decisions of all the players who are participating in them. We see industry as a union of functions that use certain technologies to meet certain needs or consumption. It is a global concept that applies to anything, not synonymous with excessive commercialization or industrialization, ie, even if the process is of a social purpose, they are industrial processes. In Cuba there...

A gentleman, tuxedo and bow tie. That’s how Cohiba White would look like if it were a person. This new product by the Cuban Tobacco International SA (ICT) presents all elegant, with the credentials of being "created to please the taste of those initiated in the art of cigars". It is therefore a gateway for those who move from cigarettes to cigars. So it has a softer taste, "The softest of all" as its slogan, familiar with the preference of smokers worldwide. The White debuted on the island a few days ago, during the International Trade Fair of Havana. Last September it was its first release, in the Dortmund Fair, Germany, one of the most special events in the world on cigars. "It is a pure product, with no additives or chemical constituent, the flavor is 100 percent natural. It has been very well received and made a great impact," Clara Lemus, Marketing Manager of ICT, said. Probably nothing is more symbolic of softness than the color white. And as Cohiba is a brand of elite, combines it with black and gray now, for a change of image, while retaining traditional elements, approaches a more contemporary minimalist concept. So far...

When I was five or six, to the west all ended in Mexico cinema. It was right on the top of San Anselmo hill, so from my door, three blocks down the same street, it looked it was into the abyss. That was El Canal neighbourhood, in Havana’s municipality of El Cerro. During the eighties of last century, neighborhood cinemas were the biggest of life. For just a few bucks people wore their weekend clothes , took a soda, and invited friends ... Those who grew up in the nineties reached what was being left. Of course, that was the best going out for kids where many debuted with innocent mouth kissing and played counting the stars, when in fact they pointed the roof holes, converted into bright points by filtering afternoon light. It was there where I discovered New York , Paris and jazz, because my favorite movies were Home Alone and The Aristocats. We never saw the lighting letters that read MEXICO, but it is said they once were there. We j ust could see the marquee, but it never had the name of any movie, let alone colored bulbs. But the cinema was blue, and had a...

In July 2012, it was officially announced that before year’s end, Cuba would have a new investment law to replace Law 77 of 1995, and that—in line with the most widespread expectations—more openings would be allowed for direct foreign investment. Many economists have referred to this step as decisive for breaking the relative impasse that the Cuban economy has reached. Assuredly, for authorities and legislators it must be a major challenge to find the right proportion for ensuring national sovereignty and efficient use of the market, technology, and foreign capital. Recently, foreign trade officials reported that 190 joint ventures between the Cuban State and foreign private companies exist in the country, less than half of what existed in early 2000. Antonio Carricarte, vice minister of the Ministry of Foreign Commerce, said a few weeks ago that “a general and sectorial policy is in the process of being evaluated to accompany the promotion of this foreign investment, and while no changes to the law are anticipated, certain regulations may be updated.” This “new vision” adds to uncertainty, but at the same time, it confirms that this matter is on the agenda. In the coming months, the news could finally come. OnCuba...

Do not listen to Gardel. Twenty years it is something, it is a lot. If you don’t think that way, just ask Ruben Marin, director of First Base, hip hop pioneer group in Cuba. One seems to be his lucky number: Grand Prize at the first Festival of Alamar, in 1995, first Cuban rap album, Like you, in 1998, and last but not least, the first to get a CUBADISCO prize, that same year. Listening to "black music", which reached him up through his old FM Radio Selena, his attention was caught by those who were "talking over the rhythm." Then the Funky boys were born, like that, so chic. "Look how far American influence reached". While other rappers, unable to produce their own instrumental backgrounds, were using copied ones, they had from the start songs that were completely theirs. They started with free style. "At one point we were able to master it as well and we did so often, we were enriching the vocabulary, being more consistent. Many times we opened it in the street:  we were on the bus, we began to do free style and people were drawn to that. " One day they realized that...

Stronger than the machete in the hands of the peasant, more devastating than fire: the offspring always return from the ashes. Cuba has, for more than two decades, been watching Marabou infested lands, and still about one million hectares of Cuban soil suffer from what appears to be a curse. However, several studies, conducted primarily at the University of Camagüey, have shown that these large "crops" have incredible potential to generate electricity as forest biomass. This plant has a value greater than 3000 kilocalories per kilogram, while oil is 10 000 kcal, which means that three tons of marabou are roughly the equivalent to one ton of "black gold". During the recent XII World Wind Energy Conference held in Havana, Minister of Energy and Mines, Alfredo Lopez said some projects that are already underway and include the use of the bush, with the installed capacity of some sugar mills. These industries generally have boilers where bagasse is burnt, and turbo-generators that allow them to produce electricity for themselves and contribute to the National Electricity System (SEN). Once all the sugar cane biomass is exhausted, they can use Marabou to produce energy. On the bioelectrical plant of the Jesus Rabi sugar...

Danay began as a follower of rap, from club to club, between the Almendares and la Madriguera.

It was among academics that the conversation started on the one topic that also was on the lips of many Cubans. The fact is that every day private businesses are blooming everywhere, like seeds in fertile soil. Then a colleague was saying how she was paying taxes on the room she rented and she had not received a single customer yet. In such a way, she was full of expenses without receiving any income. Among tips and possible solutions to the problem of her companion, Librada Taylor thought it would be interesting, and even necessary, to provide some kind of course to the self-employed sector, in order to offer basic tools for managing a business, however small. Taylor has a Master degree on Accounting, Professor at the University of Havana and Deputy Director of Enterprise Knowledge Management and Technology (GECYT). Later, her idea has materialized, but differently. Writing the book “Me? Self-employed!” took her about a year of research that led to a small volume of 72 pages, a valuable reference material for those who start a venture, often with no other guide than believing himself " a business wise person." Why an academy specialist is interested in these issues...

"We are all Africans," s a South African teacher used to say proudly. That’s right, as indicated by the oldest samples of our existence on Earth. However, people are not too fond of staying put: they come and go, here and there, most of the time. Since the early nomadic tribes lost in history, human mobility has been the sign of the endless quest for new and better ways of living, development, happiness.