A new Chinese wholesale market in Havana has caught the attention of Cuban entrepreneurs due to the wide variety of products it offers, as well as its competitive prices.
The China Import market is located at Manglar and Oquendo, in Centro Habana, near the popular Cuatro Caminos market. This establishment has generated significant buzz on social media, where users have shared their impressions of the place.
The Facebook user "Cubano De Pura Cepa" celebrated the return of this type of commerce to Havana, highlighting that after nearly 60 years, the Chinese have reopened their businesses in the capital, with such a diverse offer that "there's everything like in a pharmacy."
In addition, it was highlighted that the products can be purchased in national currency (MN) at the exchange rate of the day, which currently stands at 320 Cuban pesos per dollar. They will accept payments via transfer in MN and in MLC, but not at this time, because they are facing technical issues with the payment platforms in Cuba.
Another user, Lisandra Martín, expressed her surprise at the pricing modality in dollars, wondering what would happen if Mipymes adopted this "daily exchange rate" system.
He pointed out that the Chinese market uses a daily conversion to accept payments in MN, which could generate controversy if implemented in other Cuban businesses.
This approach has revived the debate on the legality of foreign exchange in the informal market and the restrictions imposed on the wholesale sector in the country.
For his part, Yamir Macías Catalá emphasized that the Chinese market, located in an old SABATÉ detergent and soap factory, allows buyers to pay in MN at the current exchange rate, making it an attractive option for entrepreneurs, but inaccessible for the average Cuban, who continues to face a deep shortage of basic products.
This market, which operates under different rules than those imposed on Cuban entrepreneurs, highlights the disparities in access to resources and the growing segmentation of trade on the island.
In April, the Chinese wholesale company Nihao53, managed by Leke Holding Group, announced that it would consolidate its presence in Cuba. The plan was to expand its operations with state-owned enterprises and local startups.
Nihao53 has over 15 years of business relations with Cuba. Currently, it is one of the key suppliers in the island's market. They provide goods to private businesses, from raw materials to advanced technology.
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