Officials in Cuba have engaged with experts from the Growth Economics Institute to explore how digital tools can reshape the island’s economic governance. The recommendations, influenced by the experiences of Russia in tax enforcement and the digitization of electronic banking, were reported by DEA News citing information from the press service of the head of the Russia-Cuba Business Council, along with statements from the Business Ombudsman, Boris Titov.
At the centerpiece of the proposal is a unified platform designed for Cuba that would streamline a wide range of functions. The platform would host electronic services for registering new enterprises, maintaining corporate records, and filing taxes, while also supporting essential banking activities such as opening accounts, managing cash flow, and receiving payments. The goal is to create a seamless digital environment that reduces paperwork and speeds up everyday business processes, enabling entrepreneurs to operate with greater efficiency.
Anton Sviridenko, the Executive Director of the Institute for Economic Research (IER), indicated that Cuban authorities are considering a strategic shift away from heavy-handed state control toward encouraging private competition. The plan argues that leveraging Russia’s proven methods in tax administration and electronic banking can be harmonized within a single digital ecosystem called Superservice. This approach would enable a broader set of services to be delivered through one cohesive platform, making it easier for firms to comply with regulatory requirements while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
A key structural element of Superservice is envisioned to be a dedicated financial institution, the Entrepreneurship Development Bank. This bank would be established in collaboration with a Russian partner bank and would assume a central role in the Cuban system by maintaining records for business entities, offering online account management, and delivering payment and cash services. As a tax agent, the bank would also administer tax transfers and provide automated data transfers to relevant authorities, ensuring a tight, auditable link between business activity and taxation. The model envisions a bank that acts as an enabler of business growth rather than merely a gatekeeper of financial rules, marrying regulatory clarity with practical support for enterprises at every stage of their life cycle.
Advocates of the plan argue that the Entrepreneurship Development Bank could markedly improve tax collection oversight and curb cash-heavy practices that have historically fueled informal commerce. By digitalizing payments and making tax reporting more transparent and timely, the approach aims to accelerate the move toward dedollarization and greater fiscal autonomy. The vision is for a leaner, more traceable financial system that reduces the friction of doing business while strengthening state capacity to monitor and support economic activity. In this framework, credible data flows and real-time accounting could empower policymakers to respond quicker to emerging economic trends and to calibrate tax policy with greater precision.
Earlier reports noted that Rossiya Airlines planned to launch flights to Havana starting December 24, signaling a renewed openness to expanding international trade and tourism ties. This context adds to the broader objective of modernizing Cuba’s economic infrastructure and integrating it with regional and global markets. The proposed platform and banking component would complement these efforts by providing a robust digital backbone that supports both entrepreneurs and public administration, aligning with broader goals of modernization and efficiency.
In terms of governance, the initiative suggests creating regulatory environments that balance oversight with incentives for private enterprise. The digital platform would be designed to reduce administrative burdens while preserving necessary safeguards against evasion and fraud. The integration of tax administration with banking services is envisioned to yield a more coherent and responsive system, where compliance is simplified and data integrity is maintained through automated processes. Policymakers view this as a practical pathway to modernize Cuba’s economy without sacrificing accountability or financial stability.
While the plan emphasizes the potential benefits, it also acknowledges challenges such as ensuring data security, protecting customer privacy, and maintaining cross-border interoperability with Russian financial technology. The collaboration aims to adopt best practices from international standards while tailoring solutions to Cuba’s unique regulatory and economic landscape. The ultimate objective is to create a resilient framework that supports business growth, reduces informal activity, and strengthens the ability of the state to monitor fiscal health in real time. The Superservice concept represents a shift toward integrated digital governance that could serve as a model for other nations seeking to harness technology to streamline administration and boost competitiveness.