Cuba Political scenario and background: The native Amerindian population of Cuba began to decline after the European

discovery of the island by Christopher COLUMBUS in 1492 and following its development as a Spanish colony during the next several centuries. Large numbers of African slaves were imported to work the coffee and sugar plantations, and Havana became the launching point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Spanish rule eventually provoked an independence movement and occasional rebellions that were harshly suppressed. US intervention during the Spanish-American War in 1898 assisted the Cubans in overthrowing Spanish rule. The Treaty of Paris established Cuban independence from the US in 1902 after which the island experienced a string of governments mostly dominated by the military and corrupt politicians. Fidel CASTRO led a rebel army to victory in 1959; his iron rule held the subsequent regime together for nearly five decades. He stepped down as president in February 2008 in favour of his younger brother Raul CASTRO. Cuba's Communist revolution, with Soviet support, was exported throughout Latin America and Africa during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.. Cuba at times portrays the US embargo, in place since 1961, as the source if its difficulties. Illicit migration to the US - using homemade rafts, alien smugglers, air flights, or via the southwest border - is a continuing problem. Economic and Legal factors: The country faced a severe economic downturn in 1990 following the withdrawal of former Soviet subsidies worth $4 billion to $6 billion annually. Cubas economic freedom score is 28.5, making its economy one of the worlds least free. Its overall score is 0.2 point higher than last year, with a notable decline in monetary freedom counterbalanced by gains in freedom from corruption and fiscal freedom. Cuba is ranked least free of 29 countries in the South and Central America/Caribbean region, and its overall score is significantly lower than the regional average. Cuba scores far below world averages in most areas of economic freedom, and its economy remains one of the worlds most repressed. The foundations of economic freedom are particularly weak in the absence of an independent and fair judiciary. No courts are free of political interference, and pervasive corruption affects many aspects of economic activity. As the largest source of employment, the public sector accounts for more than 80 percent of all jobs. A watered-down reform package endorsed by the Cuban Communist Party in April 2011 promised to trim the number of state workers and allow restricted self-employment in the non-public sector, but many details of the reform are obscure and little progress has been observed. The private sector is severely constrained by heavy regulations and tight state controls. Open-market policies are not in place to spur growth in trade and investment, and the lack of competition stifles productivity growth.

Quick facts*: Population: 11.2 million GDP (PPP): $120.3 billion 2.7% growth in 2010 $10,704 per capita Inflation (CPI): 4.7% FDI Inflow: $110.0 million Public Debt: 35.4% of GDP *As of Sep 2012.

Social and Environmental factors: Natural Resources: Cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land Natural Hazards: The east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common Environment issues: Air and water pollution; biodiversity loss; deforestation Technical factors In analyzing the primary features of the Cuban IT industry, a broad view of Cuba's comparative advantages and weaknesses as a global IT provider begins to emerge. Cuba is having good platform in biotechnology field Inadequate domestic IT/telecommunications infrastructure in Cuba. High piracy rates/lack of value ascribed to software development.

Literacy: Total population : 99.8% Male: 99.8% Female: 99.8%