Cuba’s science and technology parks are opening up to foreign investment. A recent television broadcast spoke of the development of scientific-technological parks in Cuba, perspectives and their impact on the Cuban economy.
Armando Rodríguez Batista, the Vice Minister of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA) said that the Cuban system of science, technology and innovation is undergoing a transformation. Thirteen approved policies, many of which have already been published, are being implemented.
He added that “Science and technology parks seek to solve four fundamental issues of Cuba’s scientific and innovation policy: the growth of human potential, the financing of these fields, connections between actors and impact.”
Rodríguez Batista said between 2020 to 2021, the infrastructure of science in the research centers has changed. There are already 230 science, technology and innovation entities:
- 143 research centers
- 26 science and technology services centers
- 60 development and innovation units
- 4 high-tech companies
- 1 science and technology park
The Vice Minister spoke of the advantages the different centers gain by joining the structure, which includes a tax reduction on profits from 35% to 15%. Ten percent of the profits are reinvested back into research and development.
A second park, the Scientific and Technological Park in Matanzas, is in the process of opening up.
Rodríguez Batista added that “50% of the science institutions in Cuba today are universities or research centers and 60% of the science, technology and innovation entities are already companies or are in the process of becoming so.”
Cuba’s national innovation system is inclusive, and can be accessed through the institution or as a natural person, the Vice Minister said. He also suggested, “promoting the specialists in advanced technologies, since there are barely 3,000 in the country.”
“They are the ones who are making the Cuban vaccines against COVID-19, they are the ones who are in the research centers in the production of vaccines. We need Cuban industry to have more technologists, that other areas also have these figures.”
He added that “there are now 14 national programs in neuroscience, local development, climate change, basic sciences, nanoscience, biotechnology, among others.”
Rafael Luis Torralbas Ezpeleta, president of the Havana Science and Technology Park, said “64% of the science and technology parks affiliated to the International Association of Science and Technology Parks and Areas of Innovation (I.A.S.P.) have the information and communication technologies (ICTs) sector in their project portfolio. Over 52% of the parks associated with the I.A.S.P. have emerged on university campuses,” which explains why these decisions were made. “Clearly we are on the right track by having our first two parks in this sector and on the fields of two universities in our country,” he added.
Foreign Investment in Science and Technology
Torralbas Ezpeleta reported that there are currently 53 project opportunities, 38 from national entities, four from foreign companies and 11 from the private sector in Cuba.
Regarding financing alternatives, he stated that “We are about to explore the path of national and sector programs, what the Science Fund provides and international funds. Today we are focused on three fundamental sources of financing: the R&D funds of the companies that are linked to the Park, those of foreign investors, and we are providing value-added services associated with certain projects.”
Among the five projects in incubation, the Smart Home project with the German company SMaBIT the first foreign company that has trusted in the Park.
Torralbas Ezpeleta also said that by 2021 they expect to finish 100% of the park’s infrastructure as far as financial possibilities permit.
Diego Vladimir Castilla Cabrera, the president of the Matanzas Scientific and Technological Park, said that 19 projects are already operating in the park, among which is the project of turning Varadero, the country’s main tourist resort area, into a digital city.
The Park is also working on the design, production and manufacture of cranial prostheses and medical devices, using manufacturing techniques and three-dimensional models.
The Vice Minister of Higher Education, Dr. C. Alicia Alonso Becerra, said that “The universities are shareholders of the Parks. In the case of the UCI with 49% in the Havana Park and the University of Matanzas with 25% in the park located in this province.”
These possibilities, said the vice-minister, stimulate the flow of knowledge and technologies among study centers, research institutions, companies and the market.
David Urra is the chief marketing analyst at International Consulting & Representation Services/Cuba (IcarusCuba). He has produced market studies for a wide range of Latin American, European and U.S. clients exploring market entry possibilities in Cuba’s IT, tourism, ranching, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors.
