| Some Cuban-Americans and U.S. business owners | | | | which has very limited supplies of beef, dairy and |
| have been waiting years for the possible fall of | | | | other products. "We all know that for the Cuban |
| Communism in Cuba and the re-opening of the island's | | | | people there's nothing there available when it comes |
| economy. Experts say the investment opportunities | | | | to food. The tourists, they have everything that is |
| are almost limitless, after decades of neglect and a | | | | available. So I think it's going to be a big opportunity, |
| U.S. embargo. Even after Fidel Castro, serious legal | | | | especially for the people in Cuba," he said. |
| and political obstacles may remain in Cuba. | | | | While the end of the Fidel Castro regime could open |
| Less than 200 kilometers separate the island of Cuba | | | | the door to outside investment, experts say it could |
| from mainland United States, but the nations remain | | | | also create more political and economic freedoms for |
| far apart on many issues. Political relations were | | | | Cuban people. Brian Latell, a senior research associate |
| severed decades ago, and travel and economic | | | | at the University of Miami's Cuba institute and the |
| activity between the nations are strictly limited. All | | | | author of a new book called "After Fidel," says the |
| that could change, however, when Castro dies or | | | | changes may allow Cubans to open small businesses |
| hands over power, according to experts at a | | | | and begin making profits for themselves. "They |
| conference called "A Future and Free Cuba" held by | | | | would be taxed, they would be under heavy control. |
| the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce and the | | | | But I think as a result they would begin to feel more |
| University of Miami's Institute of Cuban and | | | | of an ability, an opportunity to earn money, to be in |
| Cuban-American Studies. | | | | small enterprise," he said. |
| There is no indication the 79-year-old leader is going | | | | Some of the conference participants noted they |
| anywhere soon, but the island's future is always on | | | | have been studying the possibility of political |
| the minds of Miami's large Cuban exile community | | | | transformation in Cuba for years, and not much has |
| Some experts at the conference predict that Fidel's | | | | changed in that time. Even after 47 years in office, |
| brother, Raul, will take power in Havana and gradually | | | | Fidel Castro has shown little sign of relaxing his hold |
| open the economy to foreign investment and local | | | | on power. Miami lawyer Pedro Freyre warns that a |
| business, as occurred in China. Others say radical | | | | big concern will continue to be Cuba's lack of legal |
| political upheaval is more likely, fed by years of | | | | protections for private business and private property. |
| discontent, especially among Cuba's youth. No matter | | | | "Until you have a framework in Cuba that gives us a |
| what the political future holds, Andy Gomez, a senior | | | | level, a measure of comfort, that there is some kind |
| fellow at the Cuba institute, says the economic | | | | of legal mechanism that guarantees private property |
| possibilities are enormous. "There really is no limitation. | | | | rights, then it is fool's gold (a risky investment)," he |
| I think the first economic opportunity, once it's | | | | said. |
| allowed under a Raul secession government, is going | | | | Many expect a post-Castro government would begin |
| to be in the tourism industry. Then the other key | | | | relaxing some of its tight controls, but Freyre adds |
| area is how to build the infrastructure of Cuba, the | | | | that some U.S. laws would have to be changed as |
| roads, transportation system, airlines, schools and | | | | well. American businesses are currently barred from |
| housing," he said. | | | | operating in Cuba, and existing laws also limit the |
| The oil sector is another area of possible investment, | | | | kinds of activities that firms could have under a |
| since the recent discovery of millions of barrels of oil | | | | transition or post-Castro government in Havana. |
| off Cuba's northern coast. Other businesses are | | | | Experts agree that Cuba's government and its |
| interested in gaining access to the island's population | | | | relations with the United States will change |
| of nearly 12 million as a new consumer base. Ariel | | | | dramatically once Fidel Castro dies or leaves office, |
| Melchor of Associated Grocers of Florida says he | | | | but when that will happen is anyone's guess. |
| expects major growth in food imports to the island, | | | | |