Cuba Working Group
Cuba Working Group
Since 2007, the AS/COA Cuba Working Group (CWG) has been at the forefront of a changing U.S.-Cuba relationship. These efforts were evident in the historic rapprochement in December 2014, which reflected our recommendations and policy outreach work in Washington. The working group continues to encourage a policy of engagement with the island.
CWG serves as both a discreet bridge between the private and public sectors in the United States and Cuba, and as an extraordinary repository of policy knowledge on bilateral relations. The group monitors Cuba’s changing economic and political landscape and U.S. ties, while also assisting the private sector in navigating the changing regulatory framework, investment opportunities, and potential areas for collaboration. Current CWG members represent a variety of sectors, including telecommunications and technology, financial services, agriculture and food production, energy, hospitality, and legal services.
The AS/COA CWG’s activities have three main components:
- High-level meetings and roundtable discussions with Cuban and U.S. government officials, leading economists and analysts, entrepreneurs (cuentapropistas), senior-level business leaders, and members of the international diplomatic community, among others.
- Business delegations to Cuba on invitation from Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment.
- Outreach work in Washington to continue to push for full normalization of bilateral relations.
Featured Event
On February 9, entrepreneurs will share the latest developments in the island's private sector as part of the Cuba Working Group.
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We feature videos by artists from Brazil and Costa Rica and the Toomai Quintet live in New York.
In Fall 2023, we hosted several ensembles, including Momenta and Jasper, playing music from the baroque to the 21st century.
A panel of experts discussed how communities abroad can promote economic development.
A panel of entrepreneurs and experts discussed the importance and growth of the county's private tech sector as part of the Cuba Working Group Series.
A group of Cuban business leaders discussed the developments of small and medium enterprises on the island.
The Cuban entrepreneurs will join YPA and CWG to share their perspectives on the unique challenges and opportunities of running private businesses in Cuba.
AS/COA will host a conversation with Cuban entrepreneurs who will share their innovative approaches to running a business in Cuba.
Alana Tummino de AS/COA explica cómo Cuba podría ser miembro de las instituciones financieras internacionales y cuáles serían las posibles alternativas para obtener asistencia técnica.
AS/COA's policy director talks to NPR about remaining U.S.-Cuba travel barriers despite the surge in tourism.
Audio: Alana Tummino on Cuba's Growing Private Sector
Audio: Alana Tummino on Cuba's Growing Private Sector
AS/COA's policy director talks to Marketplace and Quartz about Cuba's expanding non-state sector.
The Cuban Revolution created a world-renowned health care model that’s free for Cubans—and incredibly profitable.
From the governor of New York to the NBA, high-profile officials and groups are heading to Cuba in the wake of reestablished U.S. diplomatic ties.
Interview: Ted Henken on Raúl Castro's 'Economic Mambo'
Interview: Ted Henken on Raúl Castro's 'Economic Mambo'
For every two steps forward the Cuban president takes with his economic reforms, he takes one step back, says Henken in this audio interview.
AS/COA’s Cuba Working Group spells out Washington’s new approach to Cuba on financial services, telecom, travel, and more.
The changes in U.S. policy towards Cuba would make it easier for the United States to relate to its allies in the region, comments AS/COA's Christopher Sabitini.
Audio: Christopher Sabatini - "New Cuba Relationship Could Be A Boon For American Farmers"
Audio: Christopher Sabatini - "New Cuba Relationship Could Be A Boon For American Farmers"
On December 17, President Barack Obama announced that he would ask the State Department to reevaluate Cuba's inclusion on the terrorism list. In an interview with NPR's Jackie Northam, AS/COA's Christopher Sabatini discussed the implications that Cuba's spot on the list has on American access to Cuban markets. "The problem with being on the state sponsor of terrorism list," Sabatini explained, "is a host of reporting obligations and even restrictions on what banks can do and what others can do in their relations with Cuba to avoid, perhaps, being accused, or even helping aid and abet terrorist activities or the financing of terrorist groups."
The U.S. shift in Cuba policy will provide a needed lifeline to the island’s private sector, writes AS/COA’s Alana Tummino for U.S. News & World Report.
The AS/COA Cuba Working Group makes four recommendations of measures both the Cuban and U.S. governments can take to support the island's private sector.
Stronger engagement with the island has advanced U.S. national interests and values, created opportunities for American companies, and supported the Cuban people.
AS/COA joins 17 signatories in an open letter organized by the Cuba Study Group to President-elect Donald Trump and the incoming administration.
Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis has played a critical role in managing the normalization of relations as the current charge d'affaires to Cuba.
AS/COA Cuba Working Group's long-time member will, for the first time, move money into the island from across the world.
