Havana’s International Trade Fair has become the focal point for significant foreign investment policy revelations, with government officials detailing an ambitious macroeconomic stabilization program. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment Oscar Perez-Oliva presented these transformative measures during the 8th Investment Forum, capturing the attention of international companies and economic experts alike.
The comprehensive reforms include the strategic expansion of Special Economic Zones beyond the established Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM) model. These new zones will target specific sectors including technology parks and real estate development, creating specialized hubs for foreign investment.
Financial innovation forms a cornerstone of the new policy framework, particularly through Selective Swap Operations. This sophisticated financial mechanism enables targeted debt restructuring to generate foreign currency earnings and secure international financing. The government simultaneously introduced a groundbreaking real estate initiative that allows foreign investors to fund residential projects under specific conditions.
All proposed business ventures must demonstrate financial self-sufficiency in foreign currency while adhering to stringent requirements for heritage conservation, energy efficiency standards, and implementation of renewable energy sources. These environmental and cultural protections form an integral part of the investment criteria, ensuring sustainable development aligns with economic objectives.