I'm a Cuba Newbie

Hi Everyone
I am not, as my name suggests, a bored teacher but I was once upon a time in Libya.
I have been working in West Africa the past 5 years supplying machiines, trucks, equipment, tools and even building materials to projects mainly with 'foreign' companies.
We are very interested in entering Cuba but finding good information on-line isn't easy. I plan to take a trip to Cuba in March/April but would welcome new contacts, friends, opinions on all aspects of life in Cuba and potential business partners.
I am a UK citizen who spent 9 years in Spain (as a bored teacher!) and speak pretty good Spanish. I have great UK and Chinese contacts who I do business with in West Africa. Looking for a new challenge and developing my business in Cuba.
Good luck to all of you!
Mike

Hey Mike,

I've been here for 4 months now. Working in Tourism, for a British company.

I know a few guys here who are in the import/export business. They would be the best people to talk to for finding out about the huge amounts of difficulties and restrictions this country would throw at you. May be interesting for you!

I'm here for at least another year, so send me a message when you are coming over.

Regards,

Jade

Hi,

One thing you have to keep in mind... it's not because you speak spanish that you will understand cuban language...  Many native spanish speaking people are just unable to understand cuban.  There is a whole culture too you have to understand.  It's worth spending some time there before deciding whether you really want to do business there.

I've been there 37 times over the past 8 years and still have difficulties understanding cubans discussing between them.  If they don't want you to understand, you won't.

Good luck!

I have been going to Cuba since I was about 10 years old and now I am 31. I have been married to my cuban husband for about 8 years now and he speaks that cuban language too. He tells me things that I don't understand but then he tells me what it means. My husband is the one who is going to do everything that has to do with business. He is going back to cuba after 9 years being in USA. And if there is something that I don't understand, I will always do what I do now, ask what it means. My family in cuba will teach me everything about cuba besides I already know a lot.  I love Cuba and we will have fun and enjoy everything about it.

The kind of products you specialised in are much needed in Cuba.  Please bare in mind that Cuba is famous for not paying their foreign suppliers, you might not be able to collect what you are owe.