The State of the Cuban Private Sector and Recent Developments

AS/COA's Cuba Working Group (CWG) hosted an in-person, private, off-the-record discussion in Miami led by a prominent Cuban economist, Ricardo Torres-Perez, along with other experts from the on the island's private sector. This program explored the current state of the Cuban private sector, the importance of that sector in Cuba’s foreign trade, and the recently announced regulations from the government.

Presenter

• Ricardo Torres-Perez, Ph.D., Research Fellow, American University 

Commentators

• John McIntire, Chairman, Cuba Emprende Foundation & Chair, COA Cuba Working Group 
• Ricardo Herrero, Executive Director, Cuba Study Group 

By some measures the Cuban private sector accounts for approximately one third of the island’s labor force and is responsible for almost half of food and consumer goods imports and retail sales. But this relative success has led to tensions with the Cuban government, who are desperate for hard currency. The regime has recently updated regulations that, if enforced, will be challenging for the operation of private businesses. 

Registration: Andres Riebman at rsvpmiami@as-coa.org 

Program Information: Lorrane Campos at lcampos@as-coa.org   

Sponsorship Opportunities: Cyndi Balladares at cballadares@as-coa.org