The Caribe Stores chain announced on Thursday an opportunity to lease 17 commercial spaces in four municipalities within Santiago de Cuba province. This offer is directed towards self-employed individuals, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and other entities interested in managing state-owned locations.
Announced via the Facebook profile of the state-run chain's Southern Eastern Division, the bid includes sales floors, kiosks, warehouses, and a fresh processing line distributed across the municipalities of Santiago de Cuba (11 locations), Palma Soriano (four), San Luis (one), and Contramaestre (one).
Available Spaces in Santiago de Cuba
Among the available spots in the provincial capital are the 21 de Abril Sales Floor (José Antonio Saco No. 408), La Mariposa Sales Floor (Abel Santamaría neighborhood), Las Brisas Sales Floor (Alto de Quintero), Ciudamar Warehouse (Ciudamar neighborhood), and Line 2 of the Fresh Processing and Distribution Center on Raúl Pujols Avenue, as reported by the official newspaper Sierra Maestra.
In Palma Soriano, the list includes four spaces: La Campana Palma Sales Floor, La Hogareña Warehouse, Nito Ortega Kiosk, and La Única Kiosk, all located on or near Martí Street.
Opportunities in San Luis and Contramaestre
San Luis and Contramaestre each offer one location: Chile Kiosk (Batey Central Chile) and Variedades Baire Sales Floor (Baire town), respectively.
Application Process and Deadlines
Applications are open from October 8 to 30, between 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., at the Southern Eastern Division's headquarters, located at Raúl Pujols Avenue No. 311, between 11th and 13th Streets, Vista Alegre neighborhood, Santiago de Cuba.
Applicants must submit a written request for the desired space, including personal details, legal documentation to prove their status as an economic agent, and a business proposal, all enclosed in a sealed envelope.
According to the official announcement, "the mentioned sealed envelope will be opened before a Public Notary, who will certify this act" during the session of the Bidding Committee.
Historical Context and Legal Framework
Caribe Stores has previously opened bids for locations in Havana, Holguín, and in August, offered 21 kiosks and spaces in Villa Clara.
In September, Islazul launched bids for bars, restaurants, and cafes in 10 tourist facilities in Santiago de Cuba, and in August, Antonio Maceo International Airport called on private individuals to operate culinary spaces.
The legal framework for these processes is supported by Resolution 40/2022 from the Ministry of Internal Trade, strengthened in August with the State Council's approval of the Decree-Law on Bidding, which elevates this mechanism as a general method for transferring the management of state spaces to non-state actors.
Critics, however, argue that the surge in these calls is not driven by development policies but by the state's inability to sustain its commercial network. The government retains property ownership and only transfers temporary management, lacking stable legal guarantees for private entrepreneurs and posing the risk that contracts could be revoked at any time.
Understanding the Leasing Opportunities in Santiago de Cuba
Who can apply for the commercial spaces offered by Caribe Stores?
The leasing opportunity is open to self-employed individuals, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and other entities interested in managing state-owned locations.
What is required to apply for a space?
Applicants must submit a written request, including personal data, legal documentation proving their status as an economic agent, and a business proposal, all in a sealed envelope.
What legal backing supports these leasing processes?
These processes are supported by Resolution 40/2022 from the Ministry of Internal Trade and the Decree-Law on Bidding approved by the State Council in August, which formalizes this as a general method for transferring state space management to non-state actors.