The Italian companyItalsav announced that in September he will inaugurate thefirst mixed shopping center in Cuba, according to international media reports.
"In September we will open the first Cuban shopping center of mixed management, in Havana, leaving sales and staff to the Cuban State, but the management and choice of products to us," Italian Berto Savina told the news agency.HANDLE.
The reportHe did not detail the conditions of the agreement between the businessman and the Cuban government.Therefore, data such as the currency in which the products will be sold, the place where the shopping center will be located, or whether it is a business with the military conglomerate GAESA, are unknown.
Savina entered the Cuban market in 1992 through the TODOx1 network of stores, which sold hygiene products, home accessories, toys and gift items, among others, at low prices; although they were not exempt from criticism from customers due to the quality of what was sold and the profits it reported for the stores controlled by the military.
Headquartered in Avezzano, Savina's business interests extended throughout Cuba andIn 2015 the network "Water and Soap" premiered", the largest of its kind in the country, along with the Caribe chain of stores (formerly TRD), which although they were stocked in the beginning,they were decreasing in quality and quantity.
Italsav is the exclusive distributor for Cuba of the brands Benetton, Yamamay, Carpisa, Paglieri, Mil Mil, Conter, Bergen, Mirato, Italsilva, among others, and sends, on average, about 80 or 90 containers per month.
Savina's ties with Cuba are not only economic. The government has shown its affection and even met with the dictator in Rome.Fidel Castro, when he visitedPope Juan Pablo II at the Holy See of the Vatican, in 1996.
Myrtle Great Averhoff, Cuban ambassador to Italy, shared on her Twitter account at the end of last year a meeting with Savina and her family at the Italsav headquarters.
"We remember the years of work, the diversification and expansion of the company throughout #Cuba, an example of good management," the diplomat wrote.
The Savina shopping center in Havana is not the first to be announced by foreign companies interested in investing in Cuba.
The joint company Gran Ferretero S.A. received approval from the Ministry of Internal Trade (MINCIN) to sell their productions in freely convertible currency (MLC).
According to the project that was announced in December of last year, the new hardware store was to begin operating in the first quarter of 2023, although so far little is known about the subject.
Another entity that wants to place its products in Cuba is Magefesa, from the Cantra Group, whichwill sell pots and kitchen equipment in MLC.
The state of this investment is also unknown, nor is the acceptance that the project has had among Cuban consumers.
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