The Cuba Initiative

The Cuba Initiative seeks to improve and strengthen the relationship between the UK and Cuba and to catalyse trade and investment between the two countries.

Facilitating regular meetings with Cuban Ministers and senior officials, and leaders of Cuban enterprises who are visiting the UK, the Initiative organises trade missions and individual visits for UK businesses to Cuba as well as other inward visits by trade or government delegations. Throughout the year, it also organises seminars and conferences on themes relevant to Cuba and publishes a weekly bulletin on Cuba, Cuba Briefing, as part of a package of services to its broadly based membership.

The Initiative was founded in 1995 in response to a request from the Governments of the United Kingdom and Cuba for an independent, bi-lateral, non-governmental body able to support and develop programmes that enhance the UK/Cuban relationship. As such, the work of the Cuba Initiative complements the official UK/Cuban government-to-government relationship.

The principal focus of the Cuba Initiative is on trade and investment with a focus on the following key strategic sectors:

• Tourism
• Energy and mining
• Biotechnology
• Pharmaceutical industry
• IT and communications
• Agriculture
• Finance

In addition to its business role, the Initiative facilitates and fosters exchange in the fields of politics, government, trade, investment, science, sports, education and culture. It also identifies ways to enhance relations between Cuba and the European Union and to strengthen Cuba’s ties with its neighbours in the Caribbean region

The Cuba Initiative is apolitical and aims to develop a consensus among all those with an interest in Cuban development of all political persuasions. It aims to be self-funding through the provision of services, member subscriptions, grants and fund-raising events.

The present Chairman of the UK-side of the Initiative is Ian Taylor MP. A parallel and similar body in Havana is chaired by Raul De La Nuez, the Cuban Minister for Foreign Trade. 

Member Services

The Cuba Initiative delivers an unrivalled programme of activities and market intelligence on Cuba that includes:

• Regular events enabling members to learn more about markets and to network
• Outward trade and investment business missions to Cuba
• Inward visits from Cuba to the UK
• Lunches and dinners for visiting senior officials
• An annual networking reception
• A weekly e mailed news briefing ‘Cuba Briefing’
• Fortnightly Caribbean Council e mailed newsletter providing information on Caribbean trade related events, articles and information
• Participation in trade and investment promotion projects
• Advice and assistance in developing business with Cuba

Market Intelligence: Publications
Members of the Cuba Initiative all receive subscription to Cuba Briefing. Subscription to this publication usually costs £275.00 per annum. For full details about Cuba Briefing please see the publications pages.

For application details, please see How to Join. For details of forthcoming events, please see the events pages.