In 1997, Jeffrey A. Ensminger, the founder and CEO of Bahama-Meridian ITL and its sister Non Profit; Natural Environmental Ecological Management (NEEM) began work in Cuba. In 2000 Bahama established an association with Meridian IBG (International Business Group) of St. Paul, Minnesota. Bahama-Meridian ITL is the off-shoot of that association and has developed long term relationships at the highest levels in Cuba and the United States regarding Cuba. Bahamas sister non profit, NEEM is a complimentary relationship that expands potential. The environmental work through NEEM and Bahamas corporate representation provides a full and diverse portfolio. From “Green” technology to Sustainable Agriculture and Eco Tourism, Cuba is a model replicated by our companies in Kenya, Burkina Fosa and the United States. While Sustainable Agriculture is our specialty, we are not bound by it but in AG we don’t just provide information helpful to agricultural clients, we are in their business. We understand they and their counterparts in Cuba needs and speak their respective language. Bahama-Meridian ITL is highly regarded in Cuba for its work in sustainable infrastructures required to support business ventures. This creates a knowledge-base of not only business in Cuba but sustainable business that is in line with Cuba’s world renowned approach to sustainability. Our activity in country level agricultural sales and all aspects of commodities business is exemplary whether it is 12.5K metric tons or 25K metric tons with roll over and ever green clauses on extended Sales and Purchase Agreements; we know what must occur and when, AG or high tech, movement is movement, trade is trade.

Relations between Cuba and the United States have and are rapidly changing. Bahama-Meridian ITL is providing consulting and all related services for doing business in Cuba. We provide License, negotiated trips with pertaining ministries, meetings and meeting place arrangements with high level officials, travel, lodging, meals, translation, office, and internet; simply put every single aspect required by clients so they can focus on business rather than the myriad and complex issues related to arrangements for business in Cuba. Strategic relations are in place in Cuba but also with U.S. corporations and organizations interested in pursuing business in and with Cuba. Through the Nonprofit we have also consulted with the government of Cuba itself on sustainable infrastructures. We were given a certificate in Engineering in Sustainable Agricultural Development by the Ministry of Science, Technology & Environment during our last trip.  

Unique to Bahama-Meridian ITL is staff on the ground 24/7 in Havana. Full access to internet, transfer protocol, phone, FAX or every office need while in country is provided. We are the only company with staff on hand, on island and the relationships in government that open doors for our clients and facilitate trade. We increase capacity, reduce risk and therefore increase bottom line. With Bahama-Meridian ITL clients have that 24/7 representation that is critical to their ongoing efforts so the business is seamless after the client relationship begins. Simply put, while we travel on demand to facilitate trade, the existence of a Cuban partner in Cuba is not a service offered by any other consultant. This establishes and maintains your brand and position in Cuba, your presence is felt each day. You can leave knowing that your business will be watched and handled, that issues that arise will be addressed. We do not believe business is just on call, it is perpetual.

Based in Durham, NC, Old Town Alexandria, Virginia and Havana, Cuba; Bahama is headed by CEO Jeffrey A. Ensminger. Bahama assists clients to negotiate contracts to sell agricultural and food products to Cuba, obtain travel licenses from the U.S. Government, and arrange visits to Cuba with an agenda tailored to the interest of each client coordinated with the appropriate counterpart in Cuba. Through its personal relationships with Cuban officials, Bahama personnel can provide counsel, insight, and a road map into the workings of the government of Cuba and its complexities based on fifteen years of first-hand knowledge and personal contacts. Bahama can open doors that are otherwise closed. In Cuba food is money. Because both Bahama and NEEM are experts in sustainable agriculture, commodity sales and the various processes involved from farm to port to the end sale we are able to provide the edge that simply put is not found in other companies who consult internationally. Full Corporate Offers, Terms and Conditions, Specifications, Sales and Purchase Agreements, Bills of Lading, Letters of Credit and SWIFT is not foreign language to us. Behavior in accordance with ICC regulations is something we completely understand. This allows us to not only provide political support in a complex market but international trade knowledge and the technical and contractual support required for your particular company and its goods and services. If you are not familiar with international trade but want to create residual trade revenue in that market, Bahama is your resource. Bahama is a “cause related” company; a percentage of proceeds or profits from work performed go to NEEM to support its mission.

Bahama takes the guesswork out of dealing with this government. Given that the embargo has created a web of difficulty in attempting work in Cuba and the length of time relations have been strained create an atmosphere of red tape that Bahama is able to circumvent. We know who to call and what information is required in order to even begin the process of assessing the market potential. Bahama can save your company time and expense by helping you develop and undertake a targeted approach to doing business in Cuba.

Bahama-Meridian ITL, Meridian IBG and NEEM were present at the U.S. Cuba Agricultural EXPO by invitation and as representatives of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture in 2002. This involved agricultural sales made possible by the then newly adopted ability of Agricultural Commodity sales to Cuba. Through lobby efforts in D.C. and pressure from international market clients we were able to be part of a group that allowed these sales to occur. Simply put, the business American companies are allowed to do today in Cuba is a result of our efforts to open trade because of a hurricane (Michele 2001). We are proud to have leveraged tragedy and to have played our small part. Our lobby work in DC is related to Cuba and is an additional strength we bring to the table. Your company as a Bahama client will have lobby representation from the Alexandria office on issues related in all respects to Cuba and your business. We represent you here, in D. C. and in Havana. We do not call Congress or a Ministry; we meet officials face to face to discuss issues that are important to your business in Cuba.

SERVICES WE OFFER  

1. Market Entry: Business conditions change rapidly in Cuba. There are no countries that are more difficult to understand regulations than Cuba and we are the most efficient and cost effective way to carry out or get ready for potential business in that country.

Bahama helps clients to position themselves for this opportunity. Utilizing its knowledge and relationships developed over 15 years, Bahama is able to help clients do business, get ahead of its competitors, meet with Cuban business counterparts, and establish contacts with companies already doing business in Cuba. If anyone has something to do with Cuba, we have something to do with them. We collaborate and communicate with other business groups and consultants.

2. Person to Person Contact with Cuban Officials: As with any other country, nothing can substitute for visiting Cuba and meeting with the officials who deal in your product or service. No contract has ever been realized in Cuba without personal meeting and negations – period. There are several ways in which U.S. firms can make visits to Cuba within the current U.S. laws and regulations. Bahama can arrange these visits, set up your appointments, handle all visa and immigration requirements, travel with you to assure that all goes smoothly with everything required in place on arrival.  When you are not physically there that same level of personal representation is maintained by our staff in Havana 24 hours a day for your company. Your brand and position in country is maintained. Perhaps one of the most valuable services we provide that is simply not available through anyone else. That maintains and protects your investment in travel on the person to person meetings and reduces need in the future for unnecessary trips. Most like to take any advantage to go to Cuba anytime they have a chance but these reduced costs are reflected in your bottom line so important to note and consider.

In Cuba: Bahama delegation has met with Pedro Alvarez,
President of Alimport, negotiated with Gustavo Machin, Dr. Baudillio Castellanos (deceased), Minister of Agriculture Rosales, MINREX, MINAGRI, CIMEX, Alimport, Ministry of Science and Technology, Raphael Daussa and dined with Fidel Castro. Those are a few significant samplings of an extensive network in Cuba at all levels that is too long to even begin to list entirely.

In the United States: we are a member long standing of the Latin America Working Group, affiliated with the Washington Office on Latin Affairs, a member of ECDET and member, affiliate or collaborator with all institutions and Non Profit organizations that have anything to do with Cuba. We are a lobbyist in D.C., have excellent U.S. governmental relations, existing USAID and BIS protocol available to our clients, shipping and port relations, Treasury Department, Legal, NGO’s, Non Profits, Academic, for Profits, cultural groups with on going inter-governmental support here like we have in Havana including news updates before they are printed and inside information before it is known.

What we have in Havana is supported by the network we have in the U.S.

The combination is unparalleled.

 This is the edge we provide that comes from intelligence we obtain and provide confidentially to our clients. Intelligence is not a rumor, it’s a fact! Ours is first hand, constant, reliable, due diligence is performed and we know what’s going to happen before it does.

3. Licenses: Bahama corporate clients will be able to obtain U.S. Treasury licenses to travel to Cuba and Commerce Department licenses to sell to Cuba. Clients will work under regulations and establish links necessary when Bi-Lateral trade ensues. Our clients will be placed; you will have the competitive edge to expand as regulations change. This is important. What you are able to do now will almost monthly change so we can update clients on what possibilities are to maximize on their business potential.

4. Humanitarian Donations: Several U.S. firms have donated various products to Cuba under license by U.S. Treasury. Through our own non profit and our partnerships with U.S. based non-profit, NGO and humanitarian organizations already licensed and experienced in this effort, Bahama can help clients participate in this activity while introducing their products to Cuba. Academic Centers may for example begin to send used but excellent equipment to Cuba out of rotating inventory, this allows those institutions to move seamlessly as they expand into the market with beneficial write offs. Academic involvement in Cuba has always been at the forefront. These Academic Non Profits are in fact some of the largest corporations or businesses in the United States. We may work through ECDET for academic clients.

5. Market Studies: Bahama personnel can prepare profiles and analyses of the sectors of interest to your company, Organization, City or State. We provide information upon which a business plan can be developed. Through our contacts with government officials and local firms in Havana, Bahama-Meridian ITL is able to access information that is not readily available in U.S. publications. Such information can be assembled to provide an objective look at any particular business or commercial activity. We gather intelligence. U.S., Cuban, South American and Central American. We use it to fine tune and accentuate our individual client’s business project and how it will affect it. Good project planning is based on good intelligence and current market trends; ours is the best.

President Fidel Castro met with participants of U.S.- Cuba Agricultural Trade EXPO at PABEXPO in Havana. Bahama-Meridian ITL was there with the first 50 companies and organizations by invitation on the island since 1959; this was a historic event.  

6. Tours, Seminars and Conferences: Bahama arranges for clients to attend various meetings inside and outside the U.S. These include the U.S.-Cuba Business Summits as well as special seminars to hear about the status of current U.S. legislation, changes in the laws, or recent economic development in Cuba. Bahama successfully negotiated with the Cuban Government the Pan American Neem Conference in 2006. Mr. Ensminger has lead U.S. delegates to Cuba on sustainable agriculture with Cuba as the model. Bahama through its sister company NEEM is now negotiating a Trade Delegation of members from Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA) and the Organic Trade Association (OTA) as well as departments of Agriculture from States that will cover two areas. We will lead the group and show them the system there that supports sustainable agriculture and end with negotiated contracts in Havana with Alimport. Mr. Ensminger has traveled over 2000 miles in the country meeting fair trade farmers,  NGO’s, Cooperative members, Ministers from various Ministries and worked not only with the high level officials but also with low level officials all whom he has maintained relations with.  We know a lot of deals originate at the bottom; we know a lot of meetings can’t be scheduled unless you know the Secretary. We are certain that any business transacted is best maintained with constant representation.

We know what Cuba represents to the supply lines in the Organic and sustainable production sector in the U.S.; it is the San Joaquin Valley of the East Coast. It is that level of sustainable production that will potentially augment what the valley no longer can supply.

Bahama does not just look at the short term goal of a sale to Cuba. We look at the long term goal of Bi Lateral trade when relations improve.