Cuba and Spain are countries with close historic and cultural ties. Commercial cooperation is solid and for Joaquín Gay de Moncellá, vice president of the Confederation of Employers and Industries of Spain,these links have the potential for significant development.
Spain is Cuba’s third biggest international trading partner; it is the country’s principle EU business associate; and is the nation with the greatest number of accredited entities on the Island, 196 in total.
Bilateral trade exceeded one billion euros in 2014, while total Spanish investment in the Caribbean island currently stands at over 250 million dollars.
”A strong figure which demonstrates our commitment to the island,” stated Gay de Moncellá to Granma International, during a recent visit to Havana with a business delegation.
“Currently we want to participate in the expansion of production, exports of high-quality and value-added goods and services, as well as the diversification of destination markets, and to facilitate the recovery of national industry. Always working on the basis of opportunities offered by the island’s initiatives,” he emphasized.
What sectors does your organization represent and what are their fundamentals?
Based in Madrid, the CEOE is composed of more than 240 business organizations both territorial and sectoral and more than 2 million companies; we form part ofBusiness Europe (BE) of which our most senior representative, Juan Rosell, is vice president.
TheCEOE’s work focuses on three keys spheres: training, to improve business potential; innovation of companies and their products; and the internationalization of companies, given that the competitor is no longer just the neighboring country, but could also be Indonesia, Morocco, South Africa, Poland, any nation.
That is to say, such globalization has led to a very competitive world, in which governments must support companies in order to increase productivity to be able to, through taxes, generate wealth with the aim of contributing to the well-being of the population, seeing a return of investors and creating employment which constitutes our social commitment.
Spain participates in 90% of Cuba’s hotel operations, but there continues to be great potential for development across many of the island’s other sectors. What can Spanish businesses offer the Cuban market?
When there existed a limited vision among EU nations in regards to business relations with the island, Spain became Cuba’s leading commercial associate, representing 38% of trade and with more than 200 entities currently based here, thus we wish to further contribute to the nation’s development.
We have a good presence in the tourism sector, but what we want now is to introduce companies in the spheres of construction, energy, the environment, food, and many others. Not only to establish ourselves in Cuba but also to make an impact in the region.
On December 17, 2014, Cuba and the United States announced that steps would be taken to reestablish diplomatic relations between the two countries. How does this new situation benefit Spain?
Firstly Spanish businesspeople are very satisfied with this new stage Cuba and the United States are embarking upon. And secondly, Spain has earned high credibility given its rapid economic recovery. Europe has optimal productive capacities and Cuba, with its potential and prominence in the region, make it an attractive market.
Spanish businesses know that we won’t receive preferential treatment and we are motivated by competition; what we must do is work effectively.
The position toward Cuba as expressed by Spain's Secretary of State for Trade, Jaime García-Legaz Ponce, is without a doubt of great importance to our organization, but the next steps are the most vital. The CEOE is dedicated to sending sector-specific delegations to the island to engage in exchanges with relevant authorities and businesspeople here.
The organization will carry out follow-up activities – over the short and medium term – so that these efforts don’t become mere acts of good will.
Were your expectations met on this first visit to Cuba?
I am very pleased to be in Cuba; part of my father’s family is originally fromCienfuegos and I have been greatly impressed by the island’s current activities and those directed toward development; there are countries which might be doing well, but lack beauty, and Cuba has great beauty.
