Villa Clara Government Encourages Local Businesses to Export to Europe and North America After Years of Private Sector Hurdles

The provincial government of Villa Clara is urging its small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in the Booster Program, an export acceleration initiative designed to open markets in Europe and North America for Cuban products such as coffee, honey, and processed fruits.

The call to action was made by the province's Directorate of Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment, and Cooperation, reminding local SMEs to apply before the deadline on August 21, as reported by provincial broadcaster CMHW on Friday.

Exporting to New Markets: A Two-Pronged Approach

The program, lasting between nine to 12 months, operates under two distinct modalities. The Sectorial Booster targets agri-food companies that produce coffee, honey, charcoal, and value-added processed fruits, aiming at markets in Mexico, Canada, Germany, Spain, and France.

Meanwhile, the Geographical Booster is focused on companies in information technology, cultural and creative industries, and renewable energy sources, with the same priority markets.

Comprehensive Support for International Competitiveness

"Our goal is for Villa Clara SMEs not just to export, but to do so equipped with all the necessary tools and knowledge to compete internationally," stated Laritza Torres Niebla, Director of Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment, and Cooperation for the Provincial Government of Villa Clara.

Selected companies will receive training in technical standards, tariffs, Incoterms, market research, traceability, financing, and quality certifications, along with personalized advice and access to international distributor and buyer networks.

Program Benefits and Selection Criteria

The program also provides funding for participation in trade missions and international fairs, including follow-up support to ensure the continuity of the export process.

SMEs must demonstrate at least two years of operation, exportable production capacity, economic-financial sustainability, and a commitment to an intensive acceleration process to apply.

Selection criteria include efficient use of natural and renewable resources, empowerment of women and youth, and circular economy practices.

Launch and Financial Backing

The program is scheduled to start in October following a six-week evaluation of applications. The Booster Program is funded by the European Union with 14 million euros as part of the New Economic Actors (NAE) Project and implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program, French Cooperation in Cuba, and the Ministry of Economy and Planning.

It was officially launched in June by the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, amidst a context where the private sector barely accounts for 3.2% of the country's exports, according to late-2025 data.

Changing the Landscape of Cuban Exports

Historically, the Cuban private sector's participation in foreign trade has been minimal. By October 2025, private management forms were responsible for only 3.2% of the nation's exports, primarily led by charcoal and IT services.

However, the scenario began to shift slightly. In the first half of 2025, exports from non-state management forms increased by 30%, albeit reaching only about 21 million dollars from a very low starting point.

In June, the National Assembly approved reforms allowing private companies to export and import directly with state authorization, thus eliminating the mandatory mediation of state enterprises that had been in place since 2020.