Sancti Spíritus is set to become the first Cuban province with two wholesale supply markets managed by the ITH Commercializer, with sales expected to begin next week and a minimum purchase of 300 US dollars (USD) or its equivalent in Cuban pesos (CUP).
The establishments will be designated for micro, small, and medium enterprises (mipymes), self-employed workers, and other economic actors, both state and private, who require products and supplies for their activities.
One will operate at the ITH headquarters in the city of Sancti Spíritus, and the other will open soon in Trinidad, announced Aida Rita Rivas Duarte, director of ITH in the region, in statements collected this Friday by the station Radio Sancti Spíritus.
Operations will be conducted in both USD and CUP, depending on the cost of each item. The particularity announced by ITH is that individuals will also be able to purchase without needing to sign a contract in advance, although they will need to register through a client form and meet the established minimum requirements.
"What’s new about this is that we can also sell to individuals without a contract, just a customer form establishing a minimum purchase," Rivas explained, specifying that this minimum will be 300 USD or its equivalent in CUP.
The demand creates a significant barrier to entry for those looking to access the new wholesale market, especially in a context where small economic players must face high costs to maintain their businesses.
ITH will assume the role of logistics operator, with responsibilities that include storage of goods and sales management. The entity will also participate as a partner through modalities such as consignment or deposit contracts.
The main supplier will be the Municipal Agroindustrial Company of Sancti Spíritus, along with its usufructuaries and producers. Additionally, the ITH infrastructure in the provincial capital will be exclusively dedicated to the supply market, while the service to hotels in the area will be moved to Trinidad.
"We already have the first goods in stock, and next week we will begin sales," Rivas announced.
The initiative is part of the package of 176 economic measures approved by the Communist Party of Cuba in June. Axis 19 of that program included the reorganization of wholesale trade.
The model was formalized through the , published in the Official Gazette on August 4. The regulation authorizes the participation of state-owned enterprises, non-state management forms, producers, importers, and foreign investment modalities.
The regulations state that these spaces must operate in CUP and foreign currency, issue invoices, ensure electronic payments, and incorporate the possibility of online trading, including payments from abroad.
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