Important trade shows
Cuba, as a country with a rich cultural heritage and strategic location in the Caribbean, attracts significant international interest for its unique products. It offers various important channels and exhibitions for international buyers to explore and develop business partnerships.
One of the key channels for international buyers to connect with Cuban suppliers is through trade missions and business matchmaking events. These initiatives are organized by both Cuban government agencies and foreign trade bodies to facilitate direct interactions between sellers and buyers. They provide a platform for discussing potential collaboration opportunities, negotiating contracts, and forming long-term relationships.
Additionally, Cuba participates in several key international trade fairs that serve as important showcases for its products:
1. Havana International Fair (FIHAV): This annual fair is one of the largest multi-sectoral exhibitions in Cuba, attracting exhibitors from around the world. It covers diverse sectors such as agriculture, food processing, construction materials, healthcare, tourism services, technology products, and more.
2. International Tourism Fair (FITCuba): As tourism plays a crucial role in Cuba's economy, this fair focuses on promoting Cuba as a travel destination while also facilitating business contacts related to hospitality services such as hotels/resorts infrastructure development.
3. Havana International Crafts Fair (Feria Internacional de Artesanía): This exhibition highlights traditional crafts produced by skilled artisans across Cuba—an ideal platform for international buyers seeking unique handicrafts including pottery, textiles/artwork made from natural materials like wood or leather.
4. International Book Fair (Feria Internacional del Libro de La Habana): With its strong literary traditions rooted in famous authors like Ernest Hemingway or Jose Martín; this fair offers opportunities to explore Cuban literature along with discussions among publishers/authors globally—for those interested in book publishing/trade industry.
Furthermore,Cuba has also implemented e-commerce platforms that enable online procurement transactions:
1.Binionline.cu: This official website provides information on available goods/services offered by Cuban suppliers. International buyers can explore different sectors and contact respective companies for further inquiry or placing procurement orders.
2.Empresas-Cuba.com: Managed by a Cuban government agency, it serves as an online directory of potential business partners in Cuba. It offers detailed profiles of companies along with their export capabilities and contact information to facilitate direct communication between international buyers and sellers.
In conclusion, Cuba offers various important channels such as trade missions, matchmaking events, and exhibitions including FIHAV, FITCuba, Havana International Crafts Fair to connect with international buyers. Additionally,Cuban e-commerce platforms like Binionline.cu and Empresas-Cuba.com provide further convenience to facilitate business interactions remotely.The combination of these channels provides ample opportunities for international buyers to explore Cuban products across various sectors and establish valuable partnerships with local suppliers.
Common search engines
There are several commonly used search engines in Cuba. Here are a few of them along with their website addresses:
1. EcuRed (www.ecured.cu): Created by the Cuban government, EcuRed is an online encyclopedia similar to Wikipedia. It offers information on various topics related to Cuba and its history.
2. Cubaplus (www.cubaplus.com): This search engine provides information primarily about travel and tourism in Cuba. It includes details about hotels, restaurants, attractions, and other relevant topics for visitors.
3. CUBADEBATE (www.cubadebate.cu): Known as a popular Cuban news portal, CUBADEBATE covers current affairs, politics, culture and sports in Cuba.
4. WEBPAC "Felipe Poey" - Library Universidad de La Habana: This search engine allows users to access the catalog of the University of Havana's library system. It helps students and researchers find books or other resources within the university's collection.
5. Infomed (www.sld.cu/sitios/infomed): Infomed is an important resource for medical professionals and researchers in Cuba as it provides access to medical literature databases along with other healthcare-related information.
It's important to note that due to Internet restrictions and limited connectivity in Cuba, accessing certain websites from outside might be challenging at times. Additionally, reliance on search engines like Google or Bing may not be common due to restricted internet accessibility within the country.
Overall these are some commonly used search engines by Cubans to access specific resources related to their needs within the country without relying heavily on global mainstream platforms like Google or Bing.
Major yellow pages
In Cuba, the main directory or "yellow pages" can be found through several websites. These online platforms serve as valuable resources for finding businesses, services, and contact information.
1. Cuba Yellow Pages (www.cubayellowpages.com): This website provides a comprehensive directory of businesses and services in various categories such as accommodation, restaurants, transportation, healthcare, and more. Users can search for specific types of businesses or browse through different sectors to find relevant contacts.
2. Paginas Amarillas de Cuba (www.paginasamarillasdecuba.com): This online directory offers a wide range of business listings across multiple industries in Cuba. Users can look for specific companies by entering keywords or explore various categories like tourism, construction, retail, and more.
3. Bineb Yellow Pages Cubano (www.yellow-pages-cubano.com): Bineb is another popular yellow pages directory that helps users easily search for local businesses and services in Cuba. The platform features an extensive database with numerous industry categories to simplify the search process.
4. Directorio de Negocios en la Ciudad de la Habana (Business Directory in Havana City)(www.directorioenlahabana.com): Specifically focused on Havana City area's business listings, this website provides valuable information about local companies across different sectors operating within the capital city of Cuba.
5. Global Links - Business Directories: Apart from dedicated Cuban yellow page websites mentioned above; global links like Google Maps (maps.google.com), Yelp (www.yelp.com), TripAdvisor (www.tripadvisor.com), or FourSquare(4sq.com) also provide information about Cuban businesses along with reviews from customers
These directories offer options to filter results based on location and service type preferences to assist users efficiently in finding relevant business contacts within the country’s different regions.
Major commerce platforms
Cuba, being a socialist country with limited access to the internet, has faced challenges in developing a robust e-commerce industry. However, there are a few key e-commerce platforms that operate in the country. Here are some of Cuba's main e-commerce platforms along with their respective website URLs:
1. OnCuba Shop: One of the leading online shopping platforms in Cuba, OnCuba Shop offers a variety of products including electronics, clothing, home appliances, and food items. Website: https://oncubashop.com/
2. Cimex Online Store: Operated by the state-owned conglomerate CIMEX S.A., Cimex Online Store allows users to purchase various consumer goods such as household products, electronic devices, and sporting equipment. Website: https://www.tienda.cu/
3. Ofertones: This online marketplace focuses primarily on offering discounts and promotions on various products ranging from electronics to beauty items and clothing accessories. Website: http://ofertones.com/
4. ECURED Market (Mercado EcuRed): An emerging e-commerce platform in Cuba that connects sellers and buyers across the country for diverse product categories such as arts & crafts, technology gadgets, fashion items, etc. Website: https://mercado.ecured.cu/
It is important to note that while these platforms exist in Cuba's e-commerce landscape, they may have limitations due to internet restrictions and limited access to payment options like credit cards or digital payments commonly used elsewhere.
Please keep in mind that the availability and functioning of these websites might change over time due to various factors influencing Cuba's evolving internet infrastructure.
Major social media platforms
Cuba is a country with limited access to the internet, which affects the availability of social media platforms. However, there are still a few popular social networking sites that can be accessed in Cuba. Here are some of them:
1. Facebook (www.facebook.com): Facebook is one of the most widely used social media platforms worldwide and can be accessed in Cuba. It allows users to connect with friends and family, share photos and videos, join groups, and follow pages.
2. Twitter (www.twitter.com): Twitter is a microblogging platform that enables users to post updates, known as "tweets," with a character limit of 280 characters. It is also accessible in Cuba and provides an avenue for sharing news, opinions, and engaging in conversations.
3. Instagram (www.instagram.com): Instagram is primarily a photo-sharing platform where users can upload pictures or short videos along with captions. It has gained popularity globally and has an active user base in Cuba as well.
4. WhatsApp (www.whatsapp.com): Although WhatsApp is technically not considered a social media platform, it plays a significant role in communication within Cuba due to its end-to-end encryption feature for messaging and voice/video calls.
5. Telegram (www.telegram.org): Telegram is another messaging app similar to WhatsApp but offers more privacy features such as secret chats as well as cloud-based storage for files sharing among users.
6. YouTube (www.youtube.com): YouTube allows users to upload and share videos on various topics including music videos, vlogs, educational content, etc., making it accessible for Cubans who wish to consume or create video content online.
Please note that these are just some examples of popular social media platforms accessible in Cuba; however, due to internet limitations within the country access may vary at times
Major industry associations
Cuba is a country located in the Caribbean that has a diverse range of industries and associations representing various sectors. Here are some of the main industry associations in Cuba, along with their websites:
1. Cuban Chamber of Commerce (Camara de Comercio de Cuba) - The principal organization representing commerce and trade in Cuba.
Website: http://www.camaracuba.cu/
2. Cuban Association of Economists (Asociación Nacional de Economistas de Cuba) - Represents economists and promotes economic development.
Website: https://www.anec.co.cu/
3. National Association of Small Farmers (Asociación Nacional de Agricultores Pequeños, ANAP) - Represents small farmers and agricultural workers.
Website: http://www.anap.cu/
4. Cuban Industrial Association (Asociación Industrial de Cuba, AIC) - Promotes industrial development in various sectors like manufacturing, construction, engineering.
Website: http://aic.cubaindustria.org
5. National Tourism Organization of Cuba (Instituto Cubano del Turismo, ICT) - Promotes tourism-related activities including hotels, resorts, travel agencies.
Website: https://www.travel2cuba.eu
6. Cuban Insurance Associations:
i) National Reinsurance Company of Cuba (Empresa Cubana Reaseguradora)
Website: https://ecudesa.ecured.cu/ECUREDesa/index.php/Empresa_Cubana_Reaseguradora_SA
ii) Acting Company-Cubasiga insurance group
Website:http://www.gipc.info/info.jsp?infoNo=23085
7. Federation of Cuban Women(Federacion De Mujeres Cubanas-FMC)- Represents women's rights and issues related to gender equality
Wbesite :http://mujeres.co.cu/.
These are just a few examples; there are several other industry associations representing different sectors in Cuba. Please note that some of the websites may be in Spanish, as it is the official language of Cuba.
Business and trade websites
Cuba, officially known as the Republic of Cuba, is a country located in the Caribbean. Despite being a small island nation, Cuba has a number of economic and trade websites that provide information on various industries and sectors. Here are some of the prominent economic and trade websites in Cuba:
1. Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (MINCEX) - This official government website provides information on Cuba's foreign trade policies, investment opportunities, regulations, and legal framework. The website also includes news updates related to international trade agreements involving Cuba.
Website: https://www.mincex.gob.cu/
2. Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba - The website offers resources for businesses interested in exploring opportunities within Cuban markets. It provides information on import-export regulations, market analysis reports, investment guides, business directories, events calendar, and other services aimed at fostering commercial relations.
Website: http://www.camaracuba.com
3. ProCuba - ProCuba is an agency responsible for promoting foreign investment in key sectors of the Cuban economy. Their website offers comprehensive information about investment projects available in areas such as tourism development zones (ZEDs), biotechnology industry parks (BioPlants), agriculture & food production projects.
Website: http://procubasac.com/
4. National Office for Industrial Property (ONPI) - This government office manages intellectual property rights protection system in Cuba by granting patents registration for inventions from individuals or companies both local and foreign entities.
Website:http://www.onpi.cu
5.Cuban Export Import Corporation (CEICEX)- CEICEX specializes in facilitating the export-import process for Cuban businesses by providing them with logistics solutions like transport services or guidance through customs proceedings as well assisting them finding potential partners abroad to sell their products/components/technology nationally/internationally .
Website:http://ceiex.co.cu/
These are just a few examples among many others, and they provide valuable information on Cuba's economic and trade environment. It is always recommended to check for updates and new sources as the business landscape evolves over time.
Trade data query websites
There are several trade data query websites available for Cuba. Here are some of them along with their respective website addresses:
1. World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) - The WITS platform provides access to international merchandise trade and tariff data. It allows users to query and analyze trade flows, tariffs, Non-Tariff Measures (NTM), and other indicators of competitiveness.
Website: https://wits.worldbank.org/
2. UN Comtrade Database - This is the official source for global trade statistics provided by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD). UN Comtrade collects detailed import/export data reported by statistical authorities of member countries.
Website: https://comtrade.un.org/
3. CubaTradeData - This website specializes in providing information on Cuba's foreign trade, including imports and exports, origin-destination analysis, customs duties, regulations, and business opportunities.
Website: https://www.cubatradedata.com/
4. Trading Economics - Trading Economics offers a wide range of economic indicators and market research data from various sources around the world. It includes data related to international trade for different countries, including Cuba.
Website: https://tradingeconomics.com/
5. International Trade Centre (ITC) - ITC provides access to international import/export statistics through its Trade Map database. Users can explore products traded worldwide by country or region.
Website: https://www.trademap.org
Please note that these websites might have different levels of quality and coverage when it comes to Cuban trade data. It's always recommended to cross-reference information from multiple sources to get a comprehensive understanding.
B2b platforms
Cuba, being a socialist country with limited access to the internet, does not have a wide range of B2B platforms compared to other countries. However, there are still some notable platforms that facilitate business-to-business transactions in Cuba.
1. Cubatrade: This is an official B2B platform established by the Cuban government. It serves as a hub for domestic and international businesses looking to connect with Cuban companies for trade and investment opportunities. Website: www.cubatrade.cu
2. MercadoCuba: MercadoCuba is an online marketplace where businesses can buy and sell their products within Cuba. It allows companies based in Cuba to reach out to potential buyers and expand their customer base nationally. Website: www.mercadocuba.com
3. Cuban Trade Hub: This platform serves as a comprehensive directory of Cuban businesses involved in various industries, connecting them with potential partners and buyers worldwide. It aims to foster international trade relations for the development of both local and foreign enterprises in Cuba. Website: www.cubantradehub.com
4. Exportadores Cubanos: Exportadores Cubanos is a B2B platform dedicated to promoting exports from Cuba by linking local exporters with interested buyers from different parts of the world. It provides information on products available for export and helps facilitate business negotiations between exporters and importers abroad.
Website: www.exportadorescubanos.com
It's important to note that due to limited internet access in Cuba, some websites may have restricted availability or slower loading times than typical online platforms found elsewhere.
Please keep in mind that this information might not be up-to-date or comprehensive since accessing detailed information about Cuban B2B platforms can be challenging due to limited internet availability within the country's borders