Fordham University recently hosted a panel discussion of experts on the relationship between Cuba and the United States. The event was held on Sept. 16 at the Fordham Lincoln Center campus. The event was organized by Gabelli School of Business professor Marcia Flicker, an associate professor of marketing at the school. The panel discussion featured insight in to the Cuban-America relationship for foreign investors and local entrepreneurial efforts for maintaining the new positive relationship between the two countries.
The panel featured three experts on the Cuban business world as well as the relationship history between Cuba and the U.S. The panel included, French entrepreneur Michel Villand, Gabelli alumnus Alvaro Sainz Ortiz and Vito Echevarria, a New York-based freelance journalist. Michel Villand recently published a book detailing his successful ten year venture with the Cuban government. Alvaro Sainz Ortiz recently worked for a global music company and shared his insights in to the special challenges that American firms face when dealing with Cuba. Vito Echevarria, who contributes to the Cuba Standard, covers the problems faced by and news related to the Cuban economy.
Villand discussed his previous business relationship with the former leader of Cuba, Fidel Castro. He touched on investing in Cuba and the problems that he faced during his time working there. Villand told the audience, “there are many obstacles to overcome when establishing joint ventures in Cuba,” and shared some tips for how investors should conduct business in Cuba. Echevarria shared his knowledge of the Cuban economy as well as his thoughts on how the future of the economy in Cuba will unfold. Ortiz shared his experiences working in Cuba as well as the problems that he faced while trying to complete business in a different culture.
For more information on the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University, visit metromba.com.