Rich nations use Cuba debt in hopes of opening opportunities

Rich nations use Cuba debt in hopes of opening opportunities

France, Italy, Japan, Spain and Russia are among the countries seeking
to convince Cuba to sign contracts with their companies for projects to
update the Communist-led nation's creaking infrastructure, in return for
writing off debt.
MARC FRANK
Reuters

HAVANA
Cuba's long-term trading partners are using debt forgiveness, swaps and
new financing to try to win investment opportunities on the island
before U.S. companies turn up following its detente with Washington.

France, Italy, Japan, Spain and Russia are among the countries seeking
to convince Cuba to sign contracts with their companies for projects to
update the Communist-led nation's creaking infrastructure, in return for
writing off debt.

In December, Cuba struck a general accord with the Paris Club of wealthy
nations to forgive $8.5 billion of $11.1 billion in defaulted debt and
it has since reached follow-up bilateral deals with most members.

Spain and France have pledged more than $700 million in outstanding
Cuban debt for development projects on the island and Italy and Japan
are expected to follow suit this month, their companies in line for any
new business.

France, which is Cuba's largest creditor in the Paris Club, agreed in
February to drop more than $225 million of outstanding debt in a swap
arrangement.

In return, Cuba opened an account in which the same amount will be
deposited and used to finance investments that both countries agree on.

"If there is a proposed project, for example a joint venture, the Cubans
can finance their part more quickly with this money in their account. It
is an incentive to speed up decision making," said a European diplomat
with knowledge of the negotiations.

Cuba says it needs foreign investment to perk up its anemic economy but
it remains cautious when it comes to finalizing new ventures. To date,
no projects have been announced linked to any of the finance agreements.

A French diplomat said the debt his government swapped would be used for
major development projects, including transportation and construction.

It was not clear what those projects might be, but Cuba is looking for
investment in waterworks, rails, ports, renewable energy and new tourism
resorts.

Belgium last week became the ninth of the 14 nations to sign a bilateral
debt deal. Debt swaps are promoted under the general accord, despite
being a financial tool that Cuba rejected in the past.

Paris Club members Australia, Austria, Great Britain, the Netherlands,
Switzerland and Finland have also signed bilateral deals, although the
accords, including Belgium's, have not been made public and do not
necessarily include swaps.

The broader Paris Club agreement, which was seen by Reuters, states "the
government of each participating creditor country or its appropriate
institutions may sell or exchange in the framework of debt swap" a large
proportion of remaining debt.

Under the swap arrangement, Cuba must open an account and deposit the
amount agreed upon "for allocation to projects which will be defined
bilaterally."

In addition to forgiving debt, the French diplomat said the Paris Club
deal "wiped the slate clean", allowing creditors to treat Cuba like any
other poor to mid-level country and once more offer mid-term to
long-term financing.

He said the French Development Agency would open an office this year in
Havana and could offer credits unrelated to the debt swaps, joining
forces on development projects with other parties, for example the
European Union.

Cuba was economically isolated and suffered badly when the Soviet Union
collapsed in 1991 and the United States tightened its economic blockade,
making it harder for other nations to trade with the island.

President Raul Castro is determined not to repeat the mistake of relying
too heavily on one ally. He has restored relations with the United
States, which Cuba hopes will eventually lift a half-century-old
economic embargo.

With strategic ally Venezuela in crisis and Cuba hit by lower export
earnings in 2015 due to falling commodity prices, improved relations
with the United States and the European Union, have eased pressure on
the cash-strapped Caribbean island.

Foreign Trade and Investment Minister Rodrigo Malmierca told a gathering
of Spanish businessmen in Havana last month that restored diplomatic
relations with the United States did not mean Cuba was turning its back
on other partners.

"We will not return to dependence on a single market in the future," he
said, while encouraging them to invest before they have to compete for
deals with U.S. companies.

Spanish businesses invested heavily in Cuban tourism in the "special
period" of the 1990s when Soviet subsidies vanished.

Russia forgave some $30 billion in old Soviet debt in 2014, pledging to
invest the remaining $3.5 billion in Cuba, and a Russian diplomat said a
May visit by First Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel to Russia was
focused on future projects.

"The Cubans are tough negotiators and they are very cautious, but I
think we will have some good news soon," the Russian diplomat said.

Díaz-Canel also went to Tokyo last week in a visit that was expected to
include discussions on debt, investment, financing and trade. On
Wednesday, Mitsubishi Corp opened an office in Havana.

Source: Rich nations use Cuba debt in hopes of opening opportunities |
In Cuba Today - http://www.incubatoday.com/news/article82037502.html