Cuba Working Group
Cuba Working Group
Since 2007, the AS/COA Cuba Working Group (CWG) has been at the forefront of a changing U.S.-Cuba relationship. These efforts were evident in the historic rapprochement in December 2014, which reflected our recommendations and policy outreach work in Washington. The working group continues to encourage a policy of engagement with the island.
CWG serves as both a discreet bridge between the private and public sectors in the United States and Cuba, and as an extraordinary repository of policy knowledge on bilateral relations. The group monitors Cuba’s changing economic and political landscape and U.S. ties, while also assisting the private sector in navigating the changing regulatory framework, investment opportunities, and potential areas for collaboration. Current CWG members represent a variety of sectors, including telecommunications and technology, financial services, agriculture and food production, energy, hospitality, and legal services.
The AS/COA CWG’s activities have three main components:
- High-level meetings and roundtable discussions with Cuban and U.S. government officials, leading economists and analysts, entrepreneurs (cuentapropistas), senior-level business leaders, and members of the international diplomatic community, among others.
- Business delegations to Cuba on invitation from Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment.
- Outreach work in Washington to continue to push for full normalization of bilateral relations.
Featured Event
As part of the Cuba Working Group, this of-the-record conversation will discuss private enterprise, regulations, and foreign trade.
On February 9, entrepreneurs will share the latest developments in the island's private sector as part of the Cuba Working Group.
A panel of experts discussed how communities abroad can promote economic development.
A panel of entrepreneurs and experts discussed the importance and growth of the county's private tech sector as part of the Cuba Working Group Series.
A group of Cuban business leaders discussed the developments of small and medium enterprises on the island.
The Cuban entrepreneurs will join YPA and CWG to share their perspectives on the unique challenges and opportunities of running private businesses in Cuba.
AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini explains what President Barack Obama's cuba policy could mean for the U.S. and Cuban economies.
AS/COA’s Christopher Sabatini comments on how Venezuela’s looming default could have led Cuba to turn to the United States.
AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini calls the move "profound" as U.S. President Barack Obama announced bold steps towards normalizing relations with Cuba.
An Americas Society/Council of the Americas report lists a number of executive actions the White House can take to encourage independent economic and political activity in Cuba.
AS/COA’s Christopher Sabatini comments on the barriers beyond the embargo for Cuba that threaten its market and financial sustainability.
On WYNC’s The Brian Lehrer Show, Sabatini spoke about the Obama administration’s decision to normalize relations with Cuba.
The United States can leverage Cuba’s participation to support democracy on the island, writes AS/COA’s Christopher Sabatini for ForeignPolicy.com.
The United States should lift “the veil of isolation” to promote greater flow of information and independent activity in Cuba, writes AS/COA’s Christopher Sabatini for The New York Times’ Room for Debate.
The Obama administration should take steps to aid Cuba's burgeoning businesses, writes AS/COA’s President and CEO Susan Segal for U.S. News & World Report.
U.S. executive action can help fuel Cuba's private sector, write AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini and Alana Tummino for The Hill's Congress Blog.
The AS/COA Cuba Working Group makes four recommendations of measures both the Cuban and U.S. governments can take to support the island's private sector.
Stronger engagement with the island has advanced U.S. national interests and values, created opportunities for American companies, and supported the Cuban people.
AS/COA joins 17 signatories in an open letter organized by the Cuba Study Group to President-elect Donald Trump and the incoming administration.
Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis has played a critical role in managing the normalization of relations as the current charge d'affaires to Cuba.
AS/COA Cuba Working Group's long-time member will, for the first time, move money into the island from across the world.