Yes! Not only are there 11 million residents of Cuba only 90 miles off the Florida coast, but thousands of relatives and exiles from Cuba live in our country. As it demonstrated before Castro took over, Cuba has huge business potential for U.S. business.

Before 1960, Cubans had incomes among the highest in Latin America. The U.S. accounted for some 70% of Cuba's trade. Despite harsh shortages since the end of Russian aid at the end of the 1980s, Cuba still has a base of viable industries, including citrus, mining, petroleum, sugar, tobacco and tourism from which the Europeans and Canada are profiting. U.S. firms are poised to capture major shares of communications and tourism, and need objective information to plan for the day when they can return.

AmCham Cuba has a prestigious Advisory Council to help it fulfill its mission of helping U.S. business cope with the unpredictable evolution of Cuba's policies. AmCham Cuba complements U.S.-Cuba business councils which support U.S. operations of firms who hope to do business with, and not necessarily in, Cuba. As a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and until we can open our office in Havana, we offer access to the mainstream of U.S. business views on Cuba's commercial future.

AmCham Cuba meetings promote contacts among persons interested in one day doing business in Cuba, and its members reflect diverse views on U.S. Cuba relations. Capacity audiences regularly exchange views with experts who speak on uncompensated U.S. claims, commercial and legal implications of the Helms-Burton Act, Castro today, and difficulties of reaching agreement with our allies on various facets of the U.S. position on Cuba. Besides monthly mailings, corporate members get special studies on investments in Cuba, U.S. and Cuban laws, and invitations to special programs to all our members and meetings of groups reflecting varied, legitimate points of view. .

To carry out these activities we rely on our members, and invite the U.S. business community to be part of our efforts.