Cuba loosens rules to let foreign firms sell directly and hire staff
Cuban authorities have revised regulations to permit foreign companies to operate wholesale distribution themselves and to employ workers directly through their local offices.
On Friday, the Cuban government announced a set of regulatory updates aimed at attracting more foreign investment and improving domestic supply chains. Published in the Official Gazette, the rules grant foreign company branches the right to handle wholesale imports, exports and distribution within Cuba, eliminating the need for Cuban importers to manage customs, transport and logistics. Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Deborah Rivas explained that removing intermediaries should reduce prices for consumers.
The reforms build on Decree-Law 128, which amended Foreign Investment Law 118 to give foreign-capital firms the option to hire staff directly, and now extend that option to commercial representative offices. Cuban businesses can also apply for import-export authorisation through the nationwide Foreign Trade Single Window, while a separate Foreign Investment Single Window remains open for prospective investors. The measures are part of a broader push, launched since November 2025, to stimulate the economy and support Cuba's recovery.
