Cuba: An Insider Perspective of Opportunities & Challenges, part of the MTO Latin America Series, will devote special attention to the trade and investment opportunities and obstacles that Cuba offers to foreign companies. By identifying the most relevant economic needs for Cuba, the seminar will provide and update information on strengths and weaknesses of the Cuban market. The seminar will also pay attention to the treatment of imports within the Cuba, by providing valuable information about the procedure to effectively deliver an export to Cuba, the payment, financing and insurance systems, the current legal framework, and a list of the main Cuban import and export enterprises.
We invite you to learn more about the opportunities and challenges for Minnesota businesses, particularly after the reinstatement of sanctions against Cuba last June, as well as the changes expected following the Cuban presidential transition following the end of President Raul Castro’s term this April.
The event provides an opportunity to learn from an insider the current and real economic and political situation in Cuba, as well as the current state of the relations between Cuba and the U.S.
Recent changes created great excitement in Cuba. The Cuban Communist Party wrote the 2011 Economic, Political and Social Guidelines that were subsequently adopted by the National Assembly of People’s Power. These Guidelines provide the framework for Cuba’s recent economic changes, while also proposing an ambitious plan for development by 2030. Cuba’s economic growth is dependent upon the implementation of this policy and the hope it will facilitate investment, foreign trade, and the establishment of small private businesses. The Ministry of Foreign Trade is coordinating the foreign trade and investment policy since it is responsible for monitoring the Cuban trading enterprises doing business with foreign organizations.
SPEAKERS
Luis Hierro Sanchez received his law degree from the University of Havana in 2014. Since then he has worked as a professor at the University of Havana, and was appointed as a judge to the Provincial Court of Havana in 2016. Prior to starting his career in academia Mr. Hierro Sánchez worked as a community organizer for partial elections in the province of Havana. He was appointed by the National Electoral Commission to manage grassroots advocacy efforts and worked as a community speaker on the Cuban electoral system. In addition he worked as an Assistant to the Commission on Reform of the Cuban Law of Civil, Administrative, Labor and Economic Procedure. Mr. Hierro Sánchez’s areas of focus are public policy implementation and leadership for change. He hopes that the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program will help him improve Cuba's social and economic development.
Jeffrey Phillips is the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's International Trade Manager for Minnesota food and agribusiness industry. In encouraging and facilitating trade for Minnesota's food and agribusinesses, Jeffrey provides export counseling, assists with strategic planning, business partner matching, coordinating trade promotion activities, organizing and presenting at conferences and seminars, and hosting international visitors. Jeffrey previously served as the International Trade Representative for the European and Russian markets at the State of Minnesota Trade Office (MTO). Before joining the MTO, Jeffrey was senior food marketing specialist with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. He assisted Minnesota’s processed food companies with business start-up; promotion; and assistance in package design, determining distribution channels, and meeting label and regulatory requirements. Jeffrey received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and additional training in food science & technology from the University of Minnesota.
AGENDA
• Registration from 12:00pm - 12:30pm
• Lunch & Program from 12:30pm - 2:30pm
FEE
$25 if registered by end of business April 6 (includes refreshments and materials)
$35 for late/walk-in EVENT CONTACT
Rachel Limón, Regional Trade Manager, Minnesota Trade Office
651-259-7492 | rachel.limon@state.mn.us
Register https://mn.gov/deed/business/exporting/events/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D127047768
Location Minnesota Room, DEED Conference Center
First National Bank Building
332 Minnesota Street, Ste E200
St. Paul, MN 55101
Registration link www.regonline.com…
Hosted by Minnesota Trade Office (MTO)
Event Audience For Business
Accommodation Request 651-259-7114