06/22/2026
New opportunity for Cuban MSMEs. Call for new economic actors to access an export acceleration program
MSMEs from across the country may apply to join an export acceleration program, the new call launched by the project “Support for New Economic Actors for Innovative and Sustainable Economic Diversification (NAE)”, aimed at strengthening their actions and strategies toward foreign markets with potential demand.
Funded by the European Union, the project is implemented by French Cooperation in Cuba, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP) and its National Institute of Economic Research (INIE). The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX), represented on this occasion by ProCuba, the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba (CCRC), and the National Institute of Non‑State Economic Actors (INAENE) also participate.
The “Booster” Acceleration Program for the Internationalization of Cuban MSMEs aims to increase access to international markets in Mexico, Canada, Spain, Germany, and France, linked to activities in the agrifood sector, information and communications technologies, cultural and creative industries, and renewable energy sources.
The official launch of the call takes place this June 22 at the Lonja del Comercio in Havana, with a live broadcast to all provinces.
The event will be attended by authorities from the Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP), the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX), French Cooperation, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Delegation of the European Union in Cuba, as well as the entities that make up the Booster Committee — a multi‑institutional team composed of ProCuba, the National Institute of Non‑State Economic Actors (INAENE), the National Institute of Economic Research (INIE), and the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of Cuba (CCRC), with the support of a Business France expert.
The Booster Program is an export acceleration instrument designed to support Cuban micro, small, and medium‑sized enterprises (MSMEs) in their process of entering international markets. It is structured into two modalities:
Sectoral Booster: aimed at agrifood companies, specifically producers of coffee, honey and derivatives, and processed fruits with added value.
Geographic Booster: aimed at companies in the sectors of new information and communication technologies, cultural and creative industries, and renewable energy sources, with a focus on the markets of Mexico, Canada, and Europe (Spain, Germany, and France).
Between 7 and 10 MSMEs will be selected for each type of booster.
Benefits
Selected MSMEs will receive comprehensive support over a period of 9 to 12 months, including specialized training, personalized coaching, commercial prospecting missions, networking with international buyers and distributors, and access to digital tools for export management.
Requirements and Call
Cuban MSMEs from the prioritized sectors may apply if they have productive capacity, economic‑financial sustainability, an export strategy or export experience within the last three years, and motivation to expand into foreign markets.
Selection will also consider criteria such as export potential, innovation, sustainability, and social impact, including the empowerment of women and youth.