ONLINE EVENT: What Will It Take to Salvage Cuba’s Economy?

Since the beginning of 2021, the Cuban government has taken some important steps to reform its economy. In January, the country undertook a process of monetary reform that put an end to the dual currency, which will help determine the efficiency of state companies. And early last month, the government announced that it planned to open up a good part of the private sector. While only 124 economic activities were previously authorized to operate, that number will now be increased to more than 2,000. For some observers, these recent developments suggest that Cuba’s economic reform process, paralyzed since 2016, is gaining new momentum.

Three expert panelists will explore the following questions:

• What are the likely effects of these changes on the Cuban economy?
• To what extent will the government face obstacles in implementing these reforms?
• What are the prospects for foreign investment in Cuba?
• Are these economic changes, together with protest movements and the effect of the “Patria y Vida” video, likely to spur political change in Cuba?
• What effect would reduced US sanctions have on Cuba’s economy and politics?

Follow this event on Twitter at #USCubaFuture and @The_Dialogue. We invite participants to send questions through the Q&A function on Zoom or email questions to meetings@thedialogue.org.

Watch the event here: 

Speakers:

PAVEL VIDAL ALEJANDRO

Professor of Economics, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana de Cali, Colombia

TED HENKEN

Associate Professor, Department of Sociology at Baruch College, CUNY (@ElYuma) 

VICKI HUDDLESTON

Retired US Ambassador & former chief of the US Interests Section in Havana (@vickihuddleston)

Moderator:

MICHAEL SHIFTER

President, Inter-American Dialogue (@MichaelShifter)