The relationship between Cuba and the United States is undergoing a historic transformation. In the months since Presidents Barack Obama and Raúl Castro announced that their countries would restore diplomatic relations, numerous measures have strengthened the bilateral relationship, including the reopening of embassies, the reestablishment of commercial flights, an ease in restrictions of certain imports and exports, and the facilitation of selected financial transactions.
This renewed relationship is of particular importance to Texas, which is a strong economic driver for the U.S. economy and could greatly benefit from open trade with Cuba. Last December, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott visited Cuba, and the Houston mayor’s office and the Greater Houston Partnership completed a trade mission to the island last month.
This conference addressed the rapidly developing political, business and legal ties between the two countries. Experts from Cuba and the U.S. discussed political and economic outlooks, as well as the current investment framework in Cuba and the reforms necessary to facilitate trade and investment in the continuing environment of normalization.
This event was co-sponsored by the Baker Institute Latin America Initiative and the International Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.
Join the conversation online with #BakerCuba.
This program was approved for 5.75 hours of Texas CLE credit, including 1 hour of participatory ethics.
Agenda
8:30 am |
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Registration and Breakfast |
9:00 am |
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Welcoming RemarksErika de la Garza Yuliya D. Marcer |
9:10 am |
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Opening RemarksIntroduction The Honorable Sylvester Turner |
9:45 am |
The Old and New U.S.-Cuba RelationshipIntroduction Javier Corrales, Ph.D. |
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10:45 am |
Panel I — A New Economic Relationship?Moderator: Pablo M. Pinto, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Science, University of Houston, and Nonresident Scholar, Baker Institute Latin America Initiative Juan A. Triana Jorge R. Piñón |
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Noon |
Networking Lunch |
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1:00 pm |
Panel II — The Not So Distant Neighbors: A Political OverviewModerator: Mark P. Jones, Ph.D., Fellow in Political Science, Baker Institute Cristina Escobar Domínguez Lee Ann Evans Kerry T. Scarlott |
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2:30 pm |
Panel III — Evolving Legal Aspects of Bilateral Trade & InvestmentModerator: Felix Chevalier, Partner, Chevalier Law PLLC Alina Domínguez Paul Madden |
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4:00 pm |
A Business Perspective on Houston’s First Official Visit to Cuba: Report on the September Trade MissionBob Pertierra George Y. Gonzalez |
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4:30 pm |
Adjourn |
Registration
Cost of attendance is $30 for the general public. Roundtable members and Rice students, faculty and staff receive complimentary admission with the promotional code included in the email invitation. For registration assistance, contact events coordinator Macy Pruitt (713.348.4336 or mpruitt@rice.edu).
For questions about Baker Institute membership, please contact assistant director of development Starr Dickerson (713.348.8087 or starrd@rice.edu).
Full refunds are available before 5 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26. After this date, you may send an alternate to attend the event without an additional charge.