FranTech International Licensing, Inc.

 

www.FranTechIntetnationalLicensing.com

 

Present

 

CUBA 2004

 

 

Worldwide VIP Trade and Investment Missions

 

  

 

 

 

In association with

 

 

World Trade Center Association Los Angeles

350 South Figueroa, Suite 172

Los Angeles, CA 90071

Email: President@FranTechInternationalLicensing.com

 

 

California/Cuba Trade Mission

 

Hosted by

Global Strategies Trading, L.L.C.

FranTech International Licensing, Inc.

Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation

 World Trade Center Association of Los Angeles-Long Beach

Tulare County Economic Development Corporation

Kings County Economic Development Corporation

International Agri-Center

 

July 23rd to July 30th 2004   Direct LA to Havana   7 days

 

Agriculture, Food, Growers, Packers, Branded Foods, Commodities

 

Alimport, the Cuban buying entity that has purchased hundreds of millions in U.S. Food Products, has concluded a special U.S. buying event in Havana for the purpose of awarding up to $100,000,000.00 in cash food import contracts to those that attended.  In the last similar event held in December of last year, all one hundred million was awarded in cash contracts on a case-by-case basis.  In July Alimport will again sign contracts for over $100,000,000.00 don’t miss this Cash FOB port event.

 

 

 

Trade Mission Price:  $3800 Direct LA to Havana, (be sure to ask about discounts for additional travelers) Miami to Havana different pricing depending on connecting flights.

Sample LA Itinerary:

 

 

 

 

·        Round-trip Air, LAX-HAV-LAX   (US Govt. Sanctioned)

·        Cuban Business Visas – United States Dept. of Commerce Export License

·        7 nights accommodations at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, executive suites, breakfast included 7 days, dinners 6 nights, some tours.

·        Airport Transfer to and from Hotel

·        Ground transportation to planned activities and meetings

·        Dinner and entertainment nightly

·        Company Introductions to Cuban buyers prior to the mission

·        Pre-negotiations for products

·        Complete business itinerary and accommodations, meetings, and negotiations

·        Assistance in contract negotiations

·        Post-trade mission assistance with finalizing contracts, payment of goods, and shipping

·        Use of Department of Commerce Export license (necessary for all shipments from the U.S. to Cuba)

·        All arrangements

 

 

 

 

* Airport tax, overweight baggage fees, and additional entertainment or cultural excursions not included. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sample Itinerary of Inclusive Events

 

 

Friday                    11:30 am:  Departure from LAX to Havana,

10:00 pm: Arrival and check-in at the Hotel Nacional

 

 

Saturday                10:30 am:  Day at the Havana Beach Club

2:00 pm:  Orientation luncheon, presentation by Mr. Dionisio Arranz, former founding member of the Ministry of Foreign Trade

9:00 pm:  Dinner and cultural event

 

Sunday                   Free day; city tours available for a nominal fee upon request

                                7:30 pm: Dinner and the famous Tropicana Extravaganza

 

Monday                  9:00 am:  Presentation by the Cuban government

                                1:00 pm:  Industry tours

                                8:00 pm:  Dinner and entertainment

Tuesday                 Individualized and / or group presentations of products to Alimport, Medicuba, and applicable buying agencies; exact times to be arranged.    8:00 pm:  Dinner and entertainment

 

Wednesday           Individualized / group presentations of products to Alimport, Medicuba, and applicable buying agencies; 8:00 pm:  Dinner and entertainment

 

Thursday               Individual negotiations; times to be determined

                                8:00 pm:  Farewell dinner with Cuban counterparts hosted by FranTech International Licensing

 

Friday                    Morning:  Follow-up meetings

                                Afternoon:  Free time

                                6:30 pm:  Departure from the Hotel Nacional

                                9:30 pm:  Departure HAV-LAX (US Govt. Sanctioned Direct Flight)

                                1:00 am:  Arrival LAX

 

 

*  Trade missions are group-orientated with customized schedules to fit individual needs

 

 

 

*  Participants should be prepared to make full payment at least two weeks in advance of departure date.

  

 

 

*  In order to ensure the best possible service, please see the following page on mission protocol and procedures.

 

 

 

Trade Mission Protocol and Procedures

 

Step 1

FranTech International Licensing will provide each client (or potential client) with individual feedback from Cuba regarding potential.  In order to allow us to provide you with the best possible service, we ask you to submit the following as pre-registration.

 

 

Please send a one or two page document by email to President@FranTechInternationalLicensing.com

 

 

There is no cost to pre-register. Include all of the following information:

 

 

Company name and address

Contact info of participant(s) including phone, fax, and email

Company website

Brief company history

Product overview and general export price range

Any questions you would like to ask the Cuban buyers regarding your product potential

 

As soon as we receive your pre-registration document we will submit to the applicable party, and you will receive feedback as soon as we do.

 

 

Step 2

Potential participants must be in contract with FranTech International Licensing.  Please contact President@FranTechInternationalLicensing.com

 

Step 3

Contact David Baker, President 805.653.5264 for questions regarding U.S. law, licensing requirements, and payment methods by Cuba for U.S. goods.  Contact for specific questions regarding the Cuban market, your companies and product potential in the market, Cuban protocol, and shipping methods.

 

Step 4

Registration:  Company’s wishing to participate must make payment upon registration.  Only companies who have completed steps 1-3 are eligible, and payment must be received by check or wire transfer, we regret to inform that we cannot accept payment by credit card. 

 

 

Please see the following page for additional notes on the Cuban market

 

 

 

Doing Business in Cuba

 

·        Typical turnaround time for our clients from introduction to Cuba prior to the mission to shipment of goods is three months

·        Most used port for shipping is Jacksonville Florida.  We will advise you on which port is most common for your product based on feedback from Cuba. 

·        Responsibility for your product ends at the port.  We will provide you with the contact information at the applicable port; you will be responsible for inquiring about additional charges such as container transfer fees and independent surveyors.  Average additional costs are about $500 per shipment.  Cuba pays for shipment from the port to Cuba. 

·        Typically, the amount of samples needed to bring can be hand carried.  Note: air weight allowance on chartered flights to Cuba is 44lbs.; there is a charge of $2 per pound thereafter.  This is the responsibility of the participant. 

·        Payment for goods by Cuba is made based on Cash Against Documents.  When your shipping documents are received and the goods inspected at the port, Cuba is informed and begins to make payment.  Funds are wired from Cuba to a third country bank (usually France), and funds are then wired to your account.  ONLY WHEN YOU INFORM THE SHIPPER THAT FUNDS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED, then Cuba can take possession of the goods.

·        Payment has been made by Cuba to U.S. companies on time 100% of the time.

·        A list of the necessary export documents will be provided by FranTech International Licensing.  Some additional documents are often required when goods are actually shipped for sale.  FranTech International Licensing will assist with this type of documentation.

·        Participants should embark on the trade mission seriously; with most applicable documents in hand, samples, knowledge of shipping and port charges, and ready to actually negotiate bottom-line prices and quantities. 

 

·        Most often, negotiations will continue after departure from Cuba.  Sometimes, contracts are completed within the one-week mission.  Often times Cuba will ask participants to return for the signing of the contract at a trade event or show.  These are often very exciting opportunities, and allow U.S. companies to share experiences with others already established in the Cuban market, and be aware of the future potential of their product.  Based on past experience, first shipments are often small, especially in regards to new products.  Those who actively participate for one full year usually see quantities grow rapidly.  High-priority items are often asked to be shipped immediately; others are based on certain purchasing seasons.  Cuba’s year is divided into 4 purchasing quarters. 

·        Participants will leave the one-week mission with a true sense of the potential along with all the necessary contacts and assistance from Global to turn those leads into contracts. 

·        Participants that need to return to Cuba do not need to attend the full one-week mission, and will receive a considerable discount as overhead costs are reduced. 

 

The Cuban Market

 

The Cuban market is virtually untapped and Cuba is literally in need of a vast quantity and large variety of U.S. goods.  Products that fall under the categories of agriculture, food, medicine (both prescription and over the counter), medical and surgical supplies and equipment, as well as raw materials used in food and medicinal production are eligible.

 

Cuba, however, does have high-priority needs.  This is a market in need of the most basic items first, and U.S. companies should think of this as a market ripe for consumption of staple items, and goods in the medium quality range.  This also can be a market for upgraded, gourmet, or luxury items used in the tourist sectors.

 

Because Cuba purchases goods in cash, and because some products will be completely new to the Cuban consumer, many times initial orders are in conservative quantities, with the exception being those products of large-scale use and of great need.  In addition, those items that are not available or not competitive in other countries will have an extra advantage.  However, other goods will take time to build a market for, and those clients who have patience, perseverance, as well as a true interest in Cuba and look at this, as an opportunity to build a long-term relationship will do well in the long run.

 

We strongly recommend the full-week for first-time participants as we have learned it necessary to understand the market, the society and the culture, as well as initiate those important relationships.  In one week participants will meet almost every applicable buyer for the entire country! 

 

 

 

 

We look forward in sharing this unique and historic business experience with you,

 

FranTech International Licensing, Inc.

Tel: 805.653.5264

 

www.FranTechInternationalLicensing.com

 

President@FranTechInternationalLicensing.com