Former Democratic congressman Joe García has once again brought together representatives of Cuban small businesses (Mipymes) in Miami. This time, the gathering coincided with the Americas Food and Beverage Show and Conference, held from September 16 to 18 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Joe García extended invitations to entrepreneurs with valid visas, others already in the United States who learned about the event through word of mouth, and specially invited guests. While the majority hailed from Havana, there were also entrepreneurs from Santiago de Cuba and other provinces within the Island.
A group of seven small business owners attended the event organized by Joe García on Tuesday, taking advantage of a four-day scholarship granted by the meat sector to receive training on various pork cuts and product presentation in their stores.
During the Americas Food event, around thirty Cuban small business owners engaged with nearly fifty suppliers from the United States, Europe, Turkey, and Argentina. These suppliers are interested in exporting meat, powdered milk, rice, eggs, and other basic products that are scarce in Cuba and that these small businesses aim to commercialize on the Island. Many of these small business owners have previously conducted business with the Cuban government. The majority of the suppliers are American companies producing chicken.
Despite the criticism from some sectors of the Cuban exile community in Miami, Joe García explained to CiberCuba that this is not the first time these small business owners have visited Miami. However, this time they are doing so under more challenging circumstances, not only because inflation continues to spiral out of control on the Island, and its economic situation remains uncertain, but also because they arrive amidst the controversy sparked by President Miguel Díaz-Canel's statements encouraging the creation of base committees of the Union of Young Communists and the Communist Party of Cuba within the small businesses. As expected, this has further angered those opposing financial facilitation for these businesses in the United States.
Additionally, Cuban small businesses must now contend with the "new regulations" announced in Cuba that will impact the private sector on the Island. As Joe García mentioned, they are caught in a crossfire between Miami and Cuba, facing challenges on both fronts, under the pretext that they are children of the Castro regime's leaders, except when the regime initiates raids, confiscations, seizures, and business closures, as happened earlier this month at the Havana restaurant El Laurel.
Nevertheless, Joe García is convinced that supporting Cuban small businesses helps foster civil society on the Island. In his view, these entrepreneurs create jobs, pay better wages than the state, provide independence to workers linked to the private sector in Cuba, and fill gaps that the Cuban government lacks the capacity or willingness to address. Moreover, he believes that if they don't stay in Miami when attending events like the one he organized this week, it's because they see business opportunities on the Island.
Around this time last year, Joe García gathered a group of 70 representatives of Cuban small businesses in Miami. This year, he has resumed the initiative.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Small Businesses in Miami
Here are some common questions and answers regarding the gathering of Cuban small business representatives in Miami and the challenges they face.
Why did Joe García bring Cuban small business owners to Miami?
Joe García brought Cuban small business owners to Miami to coincide with the Americas Food and Beverage Show and Conference, providing them with opportunities to connect with international suppliers and gain valuable business insights.
What challenges do Cuban small businesses face in their operations?
Cuban small businesses face numerous challenges, including economic instability, new regulations from the Cuban government, and political pressure from both Miami and Cuba. Additionally, they often deal with shortages of basic goods and materials needed for their operations.
How do these gatherings benefit Cuban small business owners?
These gatherings provide Cuban small business owners with opportunities to network with international suppliers, gain business knowledge, and explore potential business ventures that could help them overcome the challenges they face on the Island.