Cuba privatizes, a little, its economy

Audio 19:30

The legendary seafront of the Cuban capital, the Malecón, nicknamed the sofa of Havana.

© Domitille Piron

By: Mikaël Ponge Follow |

Mikaël Ponge Follow

2 min

A major change in the country's economic vision.

In Cuba, the economy is gradually becoming privatized.

The law on the opening of SMEs was scheduled for 2022, but recent events with the protests in July 2021, the crisis and shortages have accelerated the reform, to the delight of entrepreneurs.

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A way out of the crisis thanks to the private sector is a new bet from the Cuban communist government which has just authorized the creation of small and medium-sized enterprises in the private sector! This is a major change in the economic vision of the country, where the state has been all-powerful in business matters for more than 60 years. Since September 20, 2021, Cuban entrepreneurs can therefore set up their business. It had been expected for at least 5 years. This measure has been greeted with enthusiasm, as the country is in the midst of an economic crisis with a GDP decline in 2020 of 11% and shortages of basic products. Initially, requests for the creation of food and technological businesses will be dealt with.These new limited liability companies will not be able to exceed 100 employees and all activities are not authorized, such as those deemed strategic by the State such as Education, Health, Waste management and mining. This is a report by

Domitille Piron.

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