Sectors & the buildout gap
What exists, what's broken, and what needs to be built — across every sector of Cuba's economy. The private-sector lane is the only one supportable today (via QvaPay); the rest is the atlas of the opportunity when a new, free Cuba rises from the ashes of communism.
Macro: CIA World Factbook (see Data & methodology).
Ports
15 assets7 need buildoutDeepwater terminals, the Mariel gateway, cruise & bulk.
Rail
7 assets7 need buildoutThe only railroad in the Caribbean — near-total recapitalization needed.
Transport
20 assets4 need buildoutAirports and the unfinished national expressway.
Energy
18 assets5 need buildoutA grid in crisis — thermo overhaul, the solar buildout, oil & wind.
Water
3 assetsLeaking aqueducts, wastewater and tourism-zone desalination.
Mining
4 assets3 need buildoutNickel & cobalt — Holguín holds ~34% of world Ni reserves.
Agriculture
5 assets1 supportable3 need buildoutTobacco, sugar, coffee — terroir the world pays a premium for.
Biotech
1 assetsGlobally respected vaccines and monoclonals; export-grade IP.
Tourism
8 assets2 supportable2 need buildoutHeritage cities and the dollarized cays; private hospitality.
Private sector
3 assets3 supportableLicensed MIPYMEs — the only lane supportable today (via QvaPay).
Telecom
1 assetsConfiscated phone system; a thin, state-controlled network.
Manufacturing
8 assets4 need buildoutSteel, cement, textiles, breweries — brownfield revivals.
Retail
1 assetsConfiscated department stores; GAESA-controlled chains today.
Rum
3 assetsBacardí's birthplace and the Havana Club trademark war.
Cigars
4 assets1 need buildoutConfiscated marques: Partagás, Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta.
Industrial zone
1 assetsThe Mariel special development zone (GAESA land).