Cuba strengthens its business process with the New Economic Actors Project

Havana, September 16. - The implementation of an initiative called NAE Dialogues (New Economic Actors) received additional impetus today through a meeting held at the Quinta de los Molinos in this capital.

This Tuesday's meeting brought together 60 entrepreneurs, along with representatives from the European Union (EU) and other entities that support this idea.

At the opening of the meeting, the EU representative in Cuba, Amaya Olivares, and the director of the State Business System of the Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP), Yovana Vega, spoke.

Both expressed their satisfaction with the development of both private and state-owned companies that seek to boost the nation's economy.

Olivares noted that the Dialogues provide a space with a dual purpose: first, to foster frank and collaborative communication between those who promote initiatives, support, and design public policies.

The second objective, she mentioned, was to highlight the role of institutions in fostering—a key word for the event, she emphasized—the growth of MSMEs, contributing to their performance through financial viability and socioeconomic distribution.

NAE Dialogues promotes the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) on this island, they commented.

With a focus on business strengthening and development, innovation, and the leadership of women and youth in the Cuban business ecosystem, the cooperation project supports new economic actors for diversification.

Briefly, attendees noted, the NAE Project contributes to a more dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable business ecosystem.

With an emphasis on public and private MSMEs, non-agricultural cooperatives (CAN, for its acronym in Spanish), and local development projects (PDL, for its acronym in Spanish), this initiative raises hopes for problem-solving.

Committed to productive processes, the initiative seeks national reach and will work in strategic sectors such as sustainable agri-food systems, renewable energy, information and communications technologies, and the cultural and creative industries.

The project has a budget of €14 million, funded by the European Union in Cuba.

The initiative is being launched in partnership with the MEP and its National Institute of Economic Research (INIE, for its acronym in Spanish), the French Cooperation in Cuba (AFD), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (MINCEX), the Ministry of Communications (MICOM), the Ministry of Higher Education (MES), the National Institute of Non-State Economic Actors (INAENE), and the Central Bank of Cuba (BCC) participate.

Therefore, NAE Dialogues brings together representatives of new economic actors, government officials, development partners, and civil society organizations, the participants emphasized.

Discussion panels, talks, critical perspectives, and debates are part of these dialogues, the organizers said. (PL) (Photo: Taken from the Internet)