From the stock market to solar energy: The businesses that entrepreneurs in Miami are preparing for a Cuba without the regime

Cuban-American entrepreneurs in Miami are preparing plans to invest in strategic sectors of the Cuban economy in anticipation of a potential political change on the island.

Among their proposals are the creation of a stock exchange, the revival of old sugar mills, and the development of businesses related to energy, agriculture, and water supply.

According to a report by BBC Mundo published on October 5, some of the wealthiest Cuban-American families and entrepreneurs in Florida have gathered to discuss economic opportunities in a potential post-communist Cuba.

The initiative is led by the Cuban-American National Chamber of Commerce (Cancc), chaired by Juan Omar Sixto.

Miami entrepreneurs are laying the groundwork to invest in Cuba

The organization has held several meetings with members of the exile community who are prominent figures in the business sector in the United States. "The goal is to be in Cuba once the regime falls," Sixto declared.

The businessman assured that his organization keeps in touch with individuals close to the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, although no official agreements linking the U.S. government to these private initiatives have been announced.

Sixto also made it clear that he does not plan to invest while the current Cuban government remains in power. "Along with the delivery of humanitarian aid and medical supplies, we would go to do business in Cuba immediately,” he stated.

The Cancc has begun to organize specialized committees and develop proposals for sectors deemed essential for a future economic recovery. However, its members acknowledge that any investment will depend on the existing political and legal conditions on the island.

What businesses are being set up from Miami?

The plans encompass various economic activities. Some have preliminary proposals, while others are opportunities identified as priorities for investment during a potential transition.

1. Cuban stock market: The Cancc has developed a proposal to establish a stock market that enables investment channels, facilitates funding for companies, and attracts private capital.
2. Reconstruction of the electrical grid: The organization has established a committee for energy infrastructure. The modernization of thermal power plants, distribution networks, and generation systems would create opportunities for engineering, construction, and maintenance companies.
3. Agriculture and food production: Entrepreneurs consider it a priority to incorporate capital, machinery, and technology to restore productive lands, increase yields, and reduce dependence on imports.
4. Recovery of sugar mills: Former owners seek to reactivate facilities and reclaim land from nationalized sugar mills after 1959, although they would not be exclusively intended for sugar production.
5. Production of ethanol: One alternative is to repurpose sugar mills to produce biofuels and take advantage of their industrial infrastructure.
6. Cogeneration of electricity: The old industrial complexes in Cuba could be used to produce electricity and thermal energy, diversifying their activities.
7. Solar energy: Another area of focus aims to enhance investments in renewable energy, install solar panels on the grounds of former sugar mills, and develop cutting-edge generation projects in the sector.
8. Water purification: The plan is to utilize existing industrial facilities to develop treatment and supply systems for water.
9. Tourism: The recovery of this industry presents an opportunity to attract investments, although the report does not identify specific tourism projects.

The issue of property will be decisive. Some business owners are claiming compensation for assets confiscated after 1959, while acknowledging the need to establish legal mechanisms that prevent harming the families currently residing in those properties.

Marco Rubio and the plans to rebuild the Cuban economy

The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, warned during the 81st UN General Assembly that the current Cuban political and economic model poses a barrier to attracting foreign investment.

No one is going to invest in Cuba under its current model of government. They simply will not do it," stated in remarks released by the Department of State.

Rubio questioned the lack of guarantees for the private sector and presented the example of a foreign businessman willing to invest 10 million dollars, but exposed to the risk that authorities might unilaterally change the rules and seize his investment.

These concerns align with those expressed by Cuban-American entrepreneurs and specialists working from Miami on proposals to reconstruct the island.

In July, CiberCuba reported on a forum of experts in infrastructure, economics, engineering, and law, dedicated to preparing a roadmap for a possible democratic transition in Cuba.

The scope of the plans goes far beyond business investments. Experts proposed a comprehensive reconstruction of Cuba, which would include:

• Electrical system: within a period of three to five years.
• Water and sewage: a preliminary recovery period of two years and up to a decade to achieve stable service.
• Infrastructure: rehabilitation of roads, ports, railways, and cities.
• Housing: programs to address a deficit estimated at one million homes.
• Legal security: guarantees for private property and investments.
• Economic reactivation: initial boost to tourism and ports to generate revenue.
• Energy sector: modernization of refineries and fuel supply.

The researcher Jorge Piñón estimated that restoring the electrical system would require between 5,000 and 8,000 million dollars. Engineer Josenrique Cueto calculated that the rehabilitation of the drinking water and sewage systems would cost around 8,000 million.

Specialists estimate the cost of a comprehensive reconstruction of Cuba to be between 275 billion and 375 billion dollars, spread over a period of 10 to 15 years.

For now, business initiatives remain proposals and potential opportunities, not approved investments. Their execution would depend on a possible political transition in Cuba, the existence of guarantees for private property, and the ability to attract capital that would help recover the deteriorated Cuban economy.