Doing business in Cuba poses risks and requires patience, CEOs say

Doing business in Cuba poses risks and requires patience, CEOs say

This week's question: As Cuba slowly opens up, what advice would you
offer an entrepreneur starting up a business?

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Cuba is certainly a risky venture and its early steps into
entrepreneurship is also an ethical question. Personally, I feel people
like myself and others like me should play a major role in aiding Cuban
economic development. However, this must also be done responsibly and
with the intent to maintain the flavor of the Cuban culture. I believe
any mentoring should include the expectation of adapting their culture
into opportunities.

Alejandro Badia, orthopedic surgeon and founder, OrthoNOW

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For an American entrepreneur seeking to do business in Cuba, I would
tell them there are opportunities available. Many entrepreneurs have
tried to find a niche in Cuba, but the climate for doing business with
Cuba remains difficult. They need to remember that the U.S. embargo
remains very much in place, so doing business with Cuba still requires
people to understand and comply with the embargo regulations. At the
same time, the Cuban government is only slowly opening up its markets,
so entrepreneurs need to learn to be patient. Do not expect things to
get done as quickly in Cuba as they do in the rest of the Americas.

Hilarie Bass, co-president, Greenberg Traurig

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Many American hotel companies have had an eye toward development in Cuba
as an emerging market for some time now. It seems that the
infrastructure in that country needs to be better developed in order to
support its potential growth. My advice would be to proceed with caution.

Peggy Benua, general manager, Dream South Beach

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Learn Spanish. Understand that running a business in Cuba may be vastly
different than here and be aware of the costs and constraints of
regulatory compliance and other governmental requirements. Also, know
your customer. You may have customers that are not happy you are
engaging in business in Cuba.

Meg Daly, president and CEO, Friends of The Underline

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Wait until this year's presidential election is over. Wait until Fidel
Castro dies. Wait to see who dares to do anything of significance;
entrepreneurially-speaking. And, at the end of this waiting period, if
you really want to start up a business, come to Liberty City.

T. Willard Fair, president and CEO, Urban League of Greater Miami

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If you are an entrepreneur considering doing business in Cuba, the first
step is to make an assessment and evaluate the service, product or
business-to-business offering to determine the feasibility of
successfully entering and growing in this market. In that evaluation,
you must assess the barriers to entry and have an understanding of the
regulatory hurdles necessary to penetrate the Cuban market, and the
expected demand for the type of service or product you plan to offer.
Understanding the regulatory barriers and market demand are the simple
first steps necessary to determine a go vs. no go evaluation. As a
result of this process, an entrepreneur may in fact determine that the
best path for growth may happen to be expanding domestically or in other
international environs that pose less risk and greater return.

Alan Kleber, managing director, JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle)

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My advice to an entrepreneur hoping to start a business in Cuba would be
to wait and watch. I believe there is tremendous opportunity in Cuba,
but it is not yet a place for entrepreneurs. Cuba's business environment
is very tough (to say the least), consumer spending power is lacking and
there's significant counter-party risk. That being said, it has
potential for multinational corporations that can handle the risk and
leverage the opportunity afforded by the location, low labor costs and
prospects for growth. Entrepreneurs should be very wary as risk is high
and returns are uncertain.

Mario Murgado, president and CEO, Brickell Motors

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Tread carefully, and be cautious. Business is difficult even in a stable
economy, and I believe Cuba still has a long road ahead before political
conditions allow for a true private sector. The island will need to
adapt modern policies, update its aging infrastructure, and allow the
people to act and speak freely. That being said, Cuba's culture,
coastline, and proximity to Florida will certainly appeal to
entrepreneurs looking for new ventures with the country. With the proper
timing and the right kind of business, opportunity will certainly
present itself.

Steve Perricone, president and owner, Perricone's Restaurant

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Until there is a clear system of law, be careful. Cuba offers a great
opportunity especially for all of us in Miami. The danger is that
property rights are still unclear. Investing in a great business deal
that you don't actually own due to the lack of enforceable rights will
lead to distress and losses. Once the government is ready to really
clarify property rights, then Cuba will explode. The current politics
will also change if the rule of law is respected. This can resolve
legitimate economic and political concerns.

Craig Robins, president and CEO, Dacra

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As a young entrepreneur myself doing business in Europe in my early 20s,
I understand the importance of respecting cultures and how business
operates. In Cuba, you should be cautious, but ready to implement your
idea when the circumstances allow; such as the ability to hire and pay
Cubans directly. I also believe you should identify a young Cuban living
on the island as a partner in the endeavor and consider how your idea
serves and benefits the Cuban people. It's important to understand the
history and culture of Cuba, issues regarding human rights, as well as
the nature of U.S.-Cuba relations.

David Samson, president, Miami Marlins

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Any entrepreneur looking to do business in an emerging market should
fully research the regulatory and legal environment and be prepared for
that environment to change quickly and frequently as the market matures.
You need to be nimble in an established market, and doubly so in a
market in which the rules are still being developed.

Eric Silagy, president and CEO, Florida Power & Light

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I do hope that Cuba can learn some of the more difficult lessons from
us, so that they can avoid some of the same mistakes. For example, they
have a rich and well-preserved environment due to their lack of
industrial development. In particular, Cuba's reefs are said to be
spectacular. I hope that they have the foresight to develop ecotourism
with sustainability in mind and to protect some of their national
ecological treasures for future generations.

Rachel Silverstein, executive director, Miami Waterkeeper

Source: South Florida CEOs: Risks, barriers and patience part of doing
business in Cuba | In Cuba Today -
http://www.incubatoday.com/news/article103103397.html