CUBA recently unfolded rules for its first free trade manufacturing zone, which
is likely to attract an investment $900 million being paid for mostly by Brazil
in the port of Mariel near Havana. The Mariel Special Development Zone is slated
to feature manufacturing operations both for export and for the Cuban market, as
well as a megaport that would take over shipping now done in Havana.
Cuba has taken steps to modernize some elements of the economy, such as
trimming state payrolls and allowing more types of self-employment, but the
state remains firmly in control of most economic activity. The timeline for
manufacturing in the new free trade zone is still not clear but some port
operations will start this month.
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