Winds Of Change In Cuba

By Author: Frederick Jelliff
Total Articles: 5
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When Christopher Columbus discovered Cuba in 1492 he called it ‘The most beautiful land I have ever seen’. This gorgeous and scenic island brimming with colonial charm, large cities and quaint villages, vibrant art and soul-stirring music, is the largest Caribbean island nation.

Cuba’s people are warm and friendly and are deeply rooted in tradition, while keeping an eye out always for opportunities that can build a great future for themselves and their beloved country. This country has largely followed a socialist economic model but with changing times this model has been greatly improvised.

Traditionally, the main industries in Cuba have been seafood, food production, manufacturing industrial products and exports (nickel, citrus, tobacco products, sugar and rum). The Cuban government has undertaken several reforms to spur private-sector growth and these winds of change have influenced the way an average Cuban works and lives.

Prior to the reforms most Cubans were employed by the state but now the government itself is encouraging private enterprise. Cuban youth have always been highly literate ...
... due to the country’s phenomenal education policies that have resulted in almost 100% literacy rates. The young are talented and restless to acquire and utilize all skills at their command.

The number of workers employed in the newly buoyed private sector is rising steadily even as the state sector employment is dropping. There is however substantial unemployment, making the youth seek opportunities outside their island nation.

The government’s goal is to make steady progress towards a more market-oriented economy while keeping the socialist system intact. The government wants its reforms to help resolve issues such as poor retail services and pilfering, heavy indebtedness and economic stagnation.

Connected to the labor reforms are the agricultural reforms that have allowed the leasing of state lands to individuals. This has phenomenally cut budget-draining food imports and increased local food production. A majority of the non-state workers in Cuba were farmers.

Increasingly, small and large retail businesses are cropping up in Cuba. Many professionals are also becoming self-employed as artists, musicians, carpenters, photographers, designers, taxi drivers and seamstresses. These employment avenues have become more attractive ever since the government cut down on state employee salaries as part of new reforms.

The Cuban state is now assisting the lease of business premises to people interested in running their own enterprise. Plans include the building of private cooperatives for construction and light manufacturing, from medium-sized businesses presently into the produce markets or shrimp breeding.

Investment opportunities in Cuba for foreign entities have increased manifold and so have employment avenues. Cuban professionals are skilled and eager to be placed in corporate enterprises all over the globe. They keep looking for opportunities to prove to be perfect candidates for Cuba-based enterprises as well as those abroad.

Traditional Cuba advertising has not fully tapped into presenting to the world this new and ambitious face of Cuba, which goes much beyond the cliché of a man leisurely chewing on the famous Cuban cigar with plenty of time on his hands!

The writer of this article is associated with Cuba Professionals Inc., a reputed Employment Agency and Consultancy Agency with an array of clients all over the world. With offices in Malaga (Spain) and Havana, and an excellent network of support staff and Cuban Agency affiliations, Cuba Professionals Inc. is able to offer clients sound advice on Cuba employment, investment and business opportunities through consistent communication, hands on support and efficient service worldwide.