Miguel Díaz-Canel made his third visit to the Havana Scientific and Technological Park on Thursday since the institution was founded in 2020.
The ruler met with executives and representatives of small and medium-sized technology-based companies to praise their supposed advancements and call for greater integration between the state and non-state sectors.
The Presidency of Cuba stated that the leader "highlighted the leadership achieved" by the park and advocated for it to become a link for research, development, and innovation projects.
It also "called for making the most of the new economic and social transformations approved in the country, especially in the information and communication technologies sector," because they currently have immense potential.
The visit comes amid the worst economic crisis in Cuba in decades, with a projected GDP contraction of 6.5% by CEPAL for 2026 and a cumulative decline of nearly 26% since 2020.
During the tour, Díaz-Canel learned about two companies incubated in the park. The first is Laberinto Tech, led by Yunior Almaguer, a graduate of the University of Computer Sciences, which develops fleet management solutions for tourism entities such as Transtur and Ecotur.
The second mentioned is Gemellux, whose director, Tatiana Delgado Fernández, explained that they turn scattered data into managed assets for institutions such as the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources, the tourism sector, and the environment.
The park currently hosts 40 ventures at various stages of incubation. Its president, Rafael Torralbas Ezpeleta, acknowledged that the economic environment complicates the growth of new businesses.
"Everything that the Park can provide to new ventures truly becomes a great help in supporting their growth," he stated.
The visit to the technology park is part of an extensive series of tours that Díaz-Canel began on June 30 across the 15 municipalities of Havana, as part of the so-called "Year of Preparation for Defense 2026."
The crisis in Cuba has a devastating impact on the private sector. The 96.4% of Cuban micro, small, and medium enterprises —8,904 out of 9,236 registered— is experiencing severe or critical impacts due to the shortage of energy and fuel, according to data from February 2026.
In June, the government announced a package of 176 economic reform measures, including the removal of the limit of 100 workers for small and medium-sized enterprises (mipymes).
Presidential tours continue to produce diagnostics and speeches about "potentials," while the Cuban population faces a reality that no meeting in a tech park has been able to change.
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