If you’ve been keeping up with the recent events surrounding Cuba, you know that the Obama Administration opened up travel and limited trade with the Island nation of Cuba. With the onset of the Trump Administration’s views on the Embargo Contrary to what was predicted, and expected, the Cuban borders are not suddenly being flooded with new travel and business to Cuba. Why? Unless you’ve got 2-4 thousand dollars liquidated for a hotel room and another few grand for sightseeing and flights; it’s rather difficult to swing.

Part of the reason why travel to Cuba is so expensive, now that the travel and trade bans have been modified is because the embargo that was placed in the year 1961, is still very much codified in U.S. legislation. As a result, there are a number of regulatory restrictions in place that are projected to take several more years to dismantle. While these regulations are in place, all business people interested in doing business in Cuba have to carefully side-step the minefield of restrictions – which can be a slight deterrent to commerce.

While the U.S. may have issues with trade to and from Cuba, we took interest in what is currently happening inside of Cuba. Particularly with women, in regard to the way they do business.

Unlike their American counterparts, Cuban women – while less seen in Cuban pop culture – are in more positions of government than women in the U.S. comprising a whopping 50% of the Cuban parliament. Although their exact pull of weight and influence is difficult to discern, the impact is there. Cuba has ranked continuously high in international surveys aimed at ranking women’s political empowerment. In The 2014 World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap report puts Cuba at number 18 of 142 countries polled, while the U.S. ranks at a sad 54 of 142. So while women in Cuba are less seen in representative media, they are heard in positions of government.

Cuba was put on the business & political map by controversial leader Fidel Castro who’s goal was to accomplish equality on the island, integrating women’s rights in his fight. Because of this and other independent initiatives, women in Cuba are making a quiet advancement.

If you’re interested in doing business in Cuba, one of the best and most innovative ways to begin is to find women who are in business in Cuba. Locate & work with local female artisans, vendors, and distributors in Cuba to facilitate your business engagement with Cuba.

Partnering with women who are on the upward trajectory in business domination is a ticket into the Cuban business market. If you aren’t sure what your business will be doing; but know you want to engage with Cuba in the business arena; look for local women in Cuba who are interested in business. Your resources could be an excellent source of growth for them; and their resultant success could greatly help your business.